Aluminum wrapped Neodymium: Amazing repulsion effect

[AquariuZ]

This is something you must feel, not see.

After confirming the strange drag effect of N versus S on an aluminum bar, I tried it on a plastic bar wrapped in aluminum foil. It failed.  Also ceramic magnets: no or very little effect. But, fooling around a bit I thought I try something.

I took two standard small Neodymium buttons and wrapped them in strips of aluminum foil. (Why? Who knows). Make sure both sides of the magnets have the same amount of aluminum on their poles. Crimp the foil around the edges so you can clearly see the magnet. It should look like a candy wrapper (with two handles).

Attraction -> Repulsion between the two: no problem.

BUT!!!

If you hold them close in repulsion mode the repulsion should be strongest dead center. At least it should...

Tape one wrapped Neo down
Take the other wrapped Neo with both hands
Close your eyes and find where the repulsion field is the strongest
If it is dead center (as expected) flip both magnets, re-tape the bottom one and try again.

You will now find the repulsion field to be strongest at a clear offset off center. I could not find my compass, so I do not know if it is N or S side. It only works if there is an equal amount of foil on both magnets. If you try it with only one Neo wrapped the force is the same dead center on both sides.

It looks like the more aluminum I wrap around the Neos, the more the offset.

How is that possible?

Now for a way to use this.

AZ

[AquariuZ]

When using 1cm Neo cubes (careful) the effect is NOT seen. It seems this only works for the button sized ones so far. ( 1/4" x 1/16" disc is the ones I have )

This is very odd and easy to try.

[BEP]

This is something you must feel, not see.

After confirming the strange drag effect of N versus S on an aluminum bar, I tried it on a plastic bar wrapped in aluminum foil. It failed.  Also ceramic magnets: no or very little effect. But, fooling around a bit I thought I try something.

I took two standard small Neodymium buttons and wrapped them in strips of aluminum foil. (Why? Who knows). Make sure both sides of the magnets have the same amount of aluminum on their poles. Crimp the foil around the edges so you can clearly see the magnet. It should look like a candy wrapper (with two handles).

Attraction -> Repulsion between the two: no problem.

BUT!!!

If you hold them close in repulsion mode the repulsion should be strongest dead center. At least it should...

Tape one wrapped Neo down
Take the other wrapped Neo with both hands
Close your eyes and find where the repulsion field is the strongest
If it is dead center (as expected) flip both magnets, re-tape the bottom one and try again.

You will now find the repulsion field to be strongest at a clear offset off center. I could not find my compass, so I do not know if it is N or S side. It only works if there is an equal amount of foil on both magnets. If you try it with only one Neo wrapped the force is the same dead center on both sides.

It looks like the more aluminum I wrap around the Neos, the more the offset.

How is that possible?

Now for a way to use this.

AZ

You are starting to see the strange magical effects due to magnetism and aluminum 

Not magic at all, BTW.

Make sure you clear those field lines (and other such strings) from your experiment. They just may snag on something.

[AquariuZ]

You are starting to see the strange magical effects due to magnetism and aluminum 

Not magic at all, BTW.

Make sure you clear those field lines (and other such strings) from your experiment. They just may snag on something.

I do not understand... 

Not magic, but why the offset?

[IotaYodi]

It looks like the more aluminum I wrap around the Neos, the more the offset.

Im thinking the repulsion effect of the aluminum is just deflecting the field. When you hold 2 magnets and repel them its the same effect if the 2 arent perfectly parallel to each other,which is not possible by holding them in your hands. The closest point would be the strongest repulsion. x
That brings up something interesting though. If one side (or both) was dipped in an aluminum coating with a center hole absent of the aluminum,could the field be focused more?