A set of three identical ring or \"button\" magnets slide freely over a pole suc

Question

A set of three identical ring or "button" magnets slide freely over a pole such that they all float above one another. (The bottom magnet is fixed while the others float freely.) The N and S poles are located on opposite faces of the rings as shown below for the single magnet. Three possible scenarios are shown - only one is correct. A has the spacing increasing as you move upward, B has even spacing, and C has spacing decreasing as you move upward. As always, be sure to defend your answers! Describe now the poles of the magnets would have to be oriented for the magnets to "float" separated this way.

Explanation / Answer

C) spacing decreasing

top magnet have opposit forces due to 2 lower magnets middle magnet will push the upper magnet but lowest magnet will pull it towards itself due to opposit poles. So to be in equilibrium upper spacing is less then lower sapcing.

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