Let us have another thought experiment wherein the device has a similar function as this thread's device.
Most all of us are familiar with the Lenz law demonstration where a magnet is dropped into a copper tube. We have clear evidence that the time involved to traverse the distance is greatly increased due to the magnetic braking. Therefore, the tube being held rigid prevents the magnet from falling as fast as gravity would accelerate it.
Let us make the tube very long. In fact, let us curve the tube ever so slightly so that it represents a gradual arc. To take it further, let us make the tube so long, that eventually it arcs back to itself and makes a circle, a very large circle.
Next, let us mount the circle to a hub at its center with low friction bearings so the tube is now free to move along that path so that our tube stands vertically with its hub and axle in the horizontal.
Inside is a round spherical magnet with good clearance on all sides.
Using an exterior magnet, we raise the internal spherical magnet up to the level of the axle and then we pull the exterior magnet horizontally away from the axle quickly enough so that the internal sphere magnetically centers itself due to Lenz's Law and there is no contact with the tube before it drops scarcely any appreciable distance (especially compared to the immense diameter of the tube).
Keeping in mind Newtons third law of motion and understanding correctly the magnetic principles involved in Lenz's Law, what motion (if any) can we expect from our copper tube?
What conditions would be necessary to keep our sphere magnet suspended at the axle height?
How does the cyclic nature of the magnetic interaction impact the resultant motion(s)?
Digression: Is the Lenz connection of the sphere to the copper similar to any real connection of the ferromagnetic ball and its rail in this threads device? Is the friction cyclic? If so, how does that impact the involved motion(s)?
