Stacking two magnets can indeed increase the magnetic force, but it won't be exactly the same power as a single magnet with the combined thickness. Here's the breakdown:

  • Increased Force: When stacked with opposite poles facing each other, the magnets act like a single, thicker magnet. This increases the overall magnetic field and attracting force. It's often stronger than just one magnet.
  • Not Quite Double: The increase in force won't be exactly double the strength of one magnet. There are a couple of reasons for this:
    • Material Loss: A small layer of coating or plating might separate the magnets, reducing the total magnetic material compared to a single thicker magnet.
    • Field Distribution: The magnetic field gets stronger towards the ends of the stack and weaker in the middle. So, while the overall pull increases, it's not uniformly distributed.

In most cases, the difference in force between a stacked pair and a single thicker magnet is minimal and might not be noticeable for everyday use. However, for very precise applications, it's important to consider this slight difference.