Lateral Magnetic Force?

[stch]

I want Two neodymium axially magnetized disks to attract each other in 2 directions.

The disks will be placed over each other and separated by a small distance. If one is then offset slightly in the direction perpendicular to the direction of attraction, will there be a lateral force in addition to the normal force? If so how does it vary with small offsets (like a two 1/4" diameter disk magnets offset by 1/16")?

 

[MagMike]

There will be a lateral force trying to line up the magnets, but it will be small compared to the attractive force.

If you can use two (or more) magnets on either side, you'll have better alignment forces. Without knowing anything about your application, that's the most I can say for now.

-Mike