SUMMARY

In this project, experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of magnetic damping on rotating discs. A freely rotating disc made from a magnetic conducting material would eventually come to a rest on its own, owing to natural damping factors such as friction and air resistance. However, under the influence of a magnetic field, we expect the damping behavior to deviate from normal conditions as this spinning disc, would now be cutting various lines of flux that originate due to the present magnetic fields generated by a present electromagnet. Thus it is the purpose of this project to experimentally determine what orientation of applied electromagnets and hence of magnetic fields would produce the most significant damping effect. The damping of such discs by magnetic means can be very useful in applications such as braking in large vehicles such as trains and roller-coasters. Since magnetic braking is contact-less it produces no wear and tear as compared to friction driven braking and requires less maintenance It is concluded from this project that the use of a magnetic field is indeed feasible in order to damp the rotation of a spinning disc and certain orientations are more effective than others in achieving this result. Recommendations for improvement of the experimental process have also been suggested in the form of testing the theory at higher rotation speeds. i