The Gravity Control Problem

[truth]

 
Hello Phiscience,

Thanks for your very thoughtful response.

After a little research I discovered that magnetic fields are the same in the vacuum of space as here on Earth. That means that magnetic fields are unaffected by gravity. While not particularly useful right now, that is an interesting observation that may provoke a useful idea sometime.
A question:
Is a magnetic field confined to a limited region, or simply weaker at greater distance into infinity?

Of course, I understand that below a certain level the field would become irrelevant.

With respect to protons and electrons:
I wonder if a material could be charged and/or discharged to interact with gravity differently?   

[mr_bojangles]

drop a magnet in a copper tube, lorentz force directs an upward force on the magnet, fighting gravity, making it "lighter"

throwing it up the tube, makes an upward directional force on the magnet, making it heavier

in a cycle the system would make a magnet lighter on the way down, and heavier on the way up, fighting gravity and then adding to gravity

[truth]

Mr. Bojangles,

Thanks for the thoughtful response. My first thought was "wow, that could be great" and then I saw that this change in the effect of gravity is exactly the opposite of what would be helpful.

It takes more to lift and gives back less on the fall.

Also the combined weight of the tube with a magnet in it is exactly unchanged, except for a resistance loss in change during the exact time of the fall.

It is interesting, and I will think about how this could be useful.


Thanks again,
Truth