[Physics] Passing electrical current through magnets

electric-circuitselectricityelectromagnetism

I have a very simple setup with an LED, a battery, some wires, and two magnets:

  ┌──LED──┐
Magnet    │
  ╎       │
Magnet    │
  └ +9V- ─┘

I am trying to get the electrical current to flow through the magnets so that the LED lights up. However, I am unsuccessful. From what I have read, magnets are very poor conductors––if not insulators.

My goal is for the electrical current to flow through the magnets so that the LED can light up while the magnets are attracted to each other but not necessarily touching.

Is it possible for electricity to flow through the circuit even when the magnets are not actually touching?

If so, would I need a magnet that is also a conductor? Does such a magnet exist?

Best Answer

Is it possible for electricity to flow through the circuit even when the magnets are not actually touching?

No.

Air is pretty much non-conducting (for the range of voltages and currents available with a typical PP3 9V battery)

The presence of a magnetic field is insufficient, by itself, to cause a current to flow through normal air (with proviso as above, and assuming magnetic fields produced by magnets found in typical retail stores).

would I need a magnet that is also a conductor?

You need a conductor in the gap between the magnets.

Does such a magnet exist?

Conductive magnets do exist. Many commonly available small neodymium magnets have a conductive coating.

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