Final answer:
A magnet dropped through a conductive tube experiences magnetic damping. Eddy currents induced in the tube create a resistive force that slows the magnet's fall, which is an application of Faraday’s and Lenz's laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a magnet is dropped through a conductive metal tube, a phenomenon known as magnetic damping occurs due to the induction of eddy currents in the tube's walls. As the magnet falls, it moves relative to the conductor, inducing a motional emf, causing the eddy currents to flow in loops perpendicular to the magnetic field. These eddy currents produce a magnetic field that opposes the motion of the magnet (according to Lenz's Law), resulting in a resistive force that acts against gravity.
The magnitude of this resistive force can vary, but it is generally not equal to the force of gravity. Instead, it slows down the descent of the magnet such that it falls at a reduced, non-accelerating rate, potentially reaching a terminal velocity where the resistive force due to magnetic damping balances the gravitational force. This demonstration is an application of Faraday’s and Lenz's laws, and has practical uses in various industries for providing damping or braking effects without physical contact.