physics

Magnetic proximity fuze

Magnetic proximity fuze is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Magnetic proximity fuze rather than just read about it. In short: A magnetic proximity fuse was patented by P.J. Eliomarkakis, (United States Patent US2434551 of January 13, 1948) although similar devices had been in service for nearly a decade.

Key takeaways

Magnetic proximity fuze belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Magnetic proximity fuze to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Magnetic proximity fuze from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A magnetic proximity fuse was patented by P.J. Eliomarkakis, (United States Patent US2434551 of January 13, 1948) although similar devices had been in service for nearly a decade. It is a type of proximity fuze that initiates a detonator in a piece of ordnance such as a land mine, naval mine, depth charge, or shell when the fuse's magnetic equilibrium is upset by a magnetic object such as a tank or a submarine. Magnetic field sensors and movement sensors inside the ordnance detect changes to the terrestrial magnetic field of the ordnance caused by another ferromagnetic object. A signal processor inside the ordnance receives the signals from the magnetic field sensors and movement sensors and activates the detonator which will then detonate the explosives within the ordnance.

Examples Examples of pieces of ordnance that employ a magnetic fuze include:

the Chinese Chen-2 bottom mine the Egyptian T-93 mine

See also Proximity sensor Reed switch Precision bombing Precision-guided munition Guided bomb Guidance system Terminal guidance Artillery fuze Missile Proximity fuze Magnetic pistol

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Magnetic proximity fuze

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Magnetic proximity fuze claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Magnetic proximity fuze before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Magnetic proximity fuze ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Magnetic proximity fuze

In research: Magnetic proximity fuze appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Magnetic proximity fuze in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Magnetic proximity fuze is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Electromagnetic components, Explosive weapon stubs, Fuzes, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Magnetic proximity fuze outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Ask Teacher Smith questions about this articleOpens your AI tutor with a question about “Magnetic proximity fuze” →

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Magnetic proximity fuze in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Magnetic proximity fuze means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Magnetic proximity fuze out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Magnetic proximity fuze in simple terms?

A magnetic proximity fuse was patented by P.J. Eliomarkakis, (United States Patent US2434551 of January 13, 1948) although similar devices had been in service for nearly a decade.

Why does Magnetic proximity fuze matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Magnetic proximity fuze?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Magnetic proximity fuze.