Magnets

A magnet is an object or material that attracts certain metals, such as iron, nickel and cobalt. It can also attract or repel another magnet. All magnets have North-seeking (N) and South-seeking (S) poles. When magnets are placed near each other, opposite poles attract and like poles repel each other. Various electrical devices make use of magnets

Types of magnets

1. Permanent magnets

A permanent magnet is one that will hold its magnetic properties over a long period of time.

2. Temporary magnets

A temporary magnet is one that will lose its magnetism. For example, soft iron can be made into a temporary magnet, but it will lose its magnetic power in a short while.

3. Electromagnet

By wrapping a wire around an iron or steel core and running an electrical current through the wire, you can magnetize the metal and make an electromagnet.

Properties of magnets

1. Magnets always have two poles North and south- Opposites attract and like repell or push away

2. They come in various shapes

3. They attract or repel other magnets

Background Information

1. A magnet is an object that can push or pick up materials made of iron, steel, or nickel. A magnet is made of these same materials.
2. Objects that are attracted by magnets have similar properties.
3. Every magnet has two places where its strength is concentrated.
4. A magnet that is free to turn will come to rest with its poles aligned in a north-south direction.
5. Unlike poles of a magnet attract each other. Like poles of a magnet repel each other.
6. A magnet can be made from a steel object by striking it with a magnet.
7. Once magnetized, a piece of steel can remain magnetized indefinitely.
8. A magnetic compass consists mainly of a freely turning magnet.
9. All magnets, and thus all compasses, have a north-south seeking pole.
10. A magnetic compass works because the earth itself is a magnet: the compass magnet interacts with the earth-magnet.

Uses of Magnets

1. The first true application of a magnet was the compass, which not only helps in navigation by pointing toward the North magnetic pole

2.  Magnets are found in loudspeakers

3.  Electrical motors

4. For the most part, magnets are used to hold, separate, control, convey and elevate products and to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy or

    convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Magnet and Compass

Magnets ands Springs

 Click here to go back to the Interactive Lesson Page