Magnetism
A magnet is something that will attract magnetic materials.
Magnetic materials include some metals such as iron, steel, nickel and
cobalt.
A magnet has two poles. They are North (N) and South (S).
In two magnets, opposite poles attract, like poles repel.
A magnetic material is attracted to a magnet when it is in the magnetic field
of the magnet.
Magnetic field – the area around a magnet where he effects of the
magnet can be detected.
A magnetic field surrounds all magnets. The magnetic field of a magnet is
strongest at the poles.
A magnetic field can be detected in two ways,
1. see whether a magnetic object moves because of attraction
2. use a compass – the needle in the compass will turn and point in the direction
of magnetic field
The needle in the compass is magnetized.
Drawing magnetic field lines
Rules:
1. join opposite poles
2. have arrows that point NS (correctly put the arrow head)
3. must not touch each other
4. must not cross each other
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Magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
Magnetic field lines around a horseshoe magnet
The magnetic field is strongest where the magnetic field lines are closest
together.
Magnetic fields interacting
In magnets,
Two north poles repel.
Two south poles repel.
A north pole and a south pole attract.
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These forces are due to the magnetic fields from each magnet.
Magnetic field lines between two magnets when their opposite poles are together
Magnetic field lines between two magnets when their like poles are together
Electromagnets
Magnetic materials can be magnetised.
Magnetised means turned into a magnet.
The magnets we usually use, are permanent magnets. They have a
magnetic field hat is always there. You cannot switch the magnetic field off
and on again.
One way to magnetise a magnetic material is by using electricity. When this
method is used, the magnet is called an electromagnet.
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An electromagnet is made by wrapping a wire around a magnetic material,
such as iron.
The wire that is wrapped around is called a “coil”.
The material in the middle of the coil is called “core”.
When the current passes through the coil, the magnetic material become
magnetised.
When the current is switched off, the magnetic material loses most of is
magnetism.
An electromagnet has two poles, similar to a bar magnet.
How to find out the poles in an electromagnet? There are two ways.
Use a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass points along magnetic field
lines, so will point towards south pole.
Use a bar magnet with known poles. Opposite poles attract and like poles
repel. So, by bringing a bar magnet close to the electromagnet, you can
detect which pole is which.
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You can reverse (change the poles) the poles of an electromagnet in one of the
two ways.
1. Wrap the coil around in the opposite direction.
2. Reverse the connections on the cell or power supply.
Applications of electromagnets:
1. Fire doors, which are connected to fire alarms.
2. MRI scanner – produces images from inside the body
3. Used for sorting scrap metal
4. Toaster
5. Electric bell
6. Electric motor
There are three factors that will affect the strength of an electromagnet.
1. The number of turns in the coil – the more turns in the coil, the stronger the
electromagnet.
2. The material of the core – Iron and some types of steel in the core make the
strongest electromagnets.
3. The current in the coil – The greater the current, the stronger the
electromagnet.
Soft iron can be easily magnetized and also easily demagnetized.
Demagnetised means it has lost its magnetism.
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The earth as a giant magnet
Geographic north - One of the points where the Earth’s axis of rotation meets
the earth’s surface. It is located in the Arctic ocean. It is normally shown at the
top of the world map or globe.
Magnetic north – The position of Earth’s magnetic field towards which a
magnetic compass points. It is located close to the geographic north pole and
is actually equivalent to the south pole of a magnet. Magnetic north pole
moves very slowly.
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The north pole of the earth is actually a magnetic south pole (like a south
pole of a magnet). The magnetic field lines around the earth point towards
the earth’s north pole.
In the past, people discovered a naturally occurring magnet called
“Magnetite” (it was called ‘Loadstone’ in the past).
Using that, they invented the magnetic compass. One end of the needle in
compass pointed towards the magnetic north and the other end pointed
towards the magnetic south.
Invention of the compass was very important because it allowed people to
navigate in places such as oceans and deserts.
Some animals use the earth’s magnetic field to navigate over long
distances. Ex: birds
The earth’s magnetic field causes the natural appearance of lights visible in
the night sky close to the north and south poles.
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Origin of the earth’s magnetic field:
The earth’s core is the origin of the magnetic field. The reason is not
discovered yet.
Scientists think that the heat generated in the core causes it to
continuously create a magnetic field. The core contains iron and nickel
which are magnetic materials.
The movement of the liquid in outer core causes the magnetic poles to
move slowly. Magnetic north moves at a speed of about 60km per year.
The magnetic field of the earth has been reversed in the past.
