Overview
A Magnet is defined as a material or object that produces a magnetic field and is an object that attracts iron and other magnetized objects. A magnetic field is the total area around a magnet that can attract and repel magnetic materials. This invisible field forces other objects to react to its properties. The most notable, and perhaps the most well known property of a magnet is its ability to attract and repel. Magnets can be broken down into two categories: Permanent / Temporary Magnets and Electromagnets.
Permanent Magnets are considered Ferromagnetic Materials and are objects that are made of materials that are magnetized and always have a magnetic field. Examples of permanent magnets include bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, the Earth, the white board, the magnets used in refrigerators, and the magnets present in speakers.
An object that is surrounded by a magnetic field can also become magnetized for a time and can be able to have other objects stick to it. If you attach a nail to a permanent magnet, the nail itself will be caught within the magnetic field and becomes a temporary magnet. This nail now acts as a magnet itself and forces other nails to attach to it.
An object that is surrounded by a magnetic field can also become magnetized for a time and can be able to have other objects stick to it. If you attach a nail to a permanent magnet, the nail itself will be caught within the magnetic field and becomes a temporary magnet. This nail now acts as a magnet itself and forces other nails to attach to it.
An electromagnet is a wire that has been coiled into one or more loops. When electric current flows through the wire, a magnetic field is created. When the electric current stops flowing, that wire is no longer considered a magnet. Often times electromagnets are used in larger machines such as electric motors and particle accelerators.
Electromagnetism is the combined effects of electricity and magnetism.
Electromagnetism is the combined effects of electricity and magnetism.
Magnets are everywhere in our world! You may not see or feel the magnets working around you, but nearly everything around us in this world uses the magnetic field is some way. Everything from your computer and the microwave you use to cook popcorn, to your refrigerator and speakers you use to listen to music work because of magnets. Magnets are everywhere in this world and are constantly working around us!
Watch this video to learn more about magnets. What does this woman do to prove that magnets can be very strong? Why are magnets so important to our every day lives?
Check out this website to watch some really fun magnet tricks. What properties of magnets allow the man in the magnet tricks video to do what he is doing?
If you do not understand a word used on page, be sure to visit the Magnetism Vocabulary tab under Overview to review!