Robert A. Baron wrote:
>
> On Feb 22, 1996 10:32:44, 'kevin mccartney
> <[log in to unmask]>' wrote:
>
> >Yours is a very interesting story about the two rocks, one hanging and the
>
> >other suspended, but I am real confused.  Two magnets depending on their
> >polarities would either attract or repel.  How could one magnet hold
> another
> >in suspense a set distance away?
>
> Stranger yet! How can a hand (flesh, blood and bones) break the magnetic
> field?  (I want to say "magnetic spell.")  No iron deficiency anemia, here!
>
> --
>
> Robert A. Baron
> Museum Computer Consultant
> P.O. Box 93, Larchmont N.Y. 10538
> [log in to unmask]

On my desk is a device that looks rather like this:

        +-+   +-+            +-+
        | |   |b|            |b|
        |a|<======================)
        | |   | |      c     | |
        | |   +-+    d       +-+
  +-----+-+------------------------+
              SIDE VIEW ON CENTER--

        a= mirror; b= magnetic disks; c= axle; d= base with
        embedded magnets.

This little device floats (and spins sitting on a bed of inter-
locking magnetic fields with the same polarity. As long as it is
spinning it is quite stable. When motionless, almost anything
interrupting the field will cause it to 'bounce' out of it's magnetic
field and fall down. It is sensitive to even the most minor change
in the field strength.


Andrew J. L. Cary                     | I Reckon that the Opinions
Senior Curmudgeon                     | expressed here DO represent
Cary Consulting Services, Newark, CA  | those of the management of
[log in to unmask]                 | Cary Consulting Services