Magnetism
Magnetism is one aspect of the combined electromagnetic force. It refers to physical phenomena arising from the force caused by magnets, objects that produce fields that attract or repel other objects.
All materials experience magnetism, some more strongly than others. Permanent magnets, made from materials such as iron, experience the strongest effects, known as ferromagnetism. With rare exception, this is the only form of magnetism strong enough to be felt by people.
Opposites attract
Magnetic fields are generated by rotating electric charges, according to HyperPhysics. Electrons all have a property of angular momentum, or spin. Most electrons tend to form pairs in which one of them is “spin up” and the other is “spin down,” in accordance with the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which states that two electrons cannot occupy the same energy state at the same time. In this case, their magnetic fields are in opposite directions, so they cancel each other. However, some atoms contain one or more unpaired electrons whose spin can produce a directional magnetic field. The direction of their spin determines the direction of the magnetic field, according to the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Resource Center. When a significant majority of unpaired electrons are aligned with their spins in the same direction, they combine to produce a magnetic field that is strong enough to be felt on a macroscopic scale.
Magnetic field sources are dipolar, having a north and south magnetic pole. Opposite poles (N and S) attract, and like poles (N and N, or S and S) repel, according to Joseph Becker of San Jose State University. This creates a toroidal, or doughnut-shaped field, as the direction of the field propagates outward from the north pole and enters through the south pole.
The Earth itself is a giant magnet. The planet gets its magnetic field from circulating electric currents within the molten metallic core, according to HyperPhysics. A compass points north because the small magnetic needle in it is suspended so that it can spin freely inside its casing to align itself with the planet’s magnetic field. Paradoxically, what we call the Magnetic North Pole is actually a south magnetic pole because it attracts the north magnetic poles of compass needles.
magnet and its types
Magnets are objects that generate a magnetic field, a force-field that either pulls or repels certain materials, such as nickel and iron. Of course, not all magnets are composed of the same elements, and thus can be broken down into categories based on their composition and source of magnetism. Permanent magnets are magnets retain their magnetism once magnetized. Temporary magnets are materials magnets that perform like permanent magnets when in the presence of a magnetic field, but lose magnetism when not in a magnetic field. Electromagnets are wound coils of wire that function as magnets when an electrical current is passed through. By adjusting the strength and direction of the current, the strength of the magnet is also altered.
Permanent Magnets
There are typically four categories of permanent magnets: neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets.
Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB): This type of magnet is composed of rare earth magnetic material, and has a high coercive force. They have an extremely high energy product range, up to 50 MGOe. Because of this high product energy level, they can usually be manufactured to be small and compact in size. However, NdFeB magnets have low mechanical strength, tend to be brittle, and low corrosion-resistance if left uncoated. If treated with gold, iron, or nickel plating, they can be used in many applications. They are very strong magnets and are difficult to demagnetize.
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo): Like NdFeB magnets, SmCo magnets are also very strong and difficult to demagnetize. They are also highly oxidation-resistant and temperature resistant, withstanding temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius. Two different groups of SmCo magnets exist, divided based on their product energy range. The first series (Sm1Co5) has an energy product range of 15-22 MGOe. The second series (Sm2Co17) has a range that falls between 22 and 30 MGOe. However, they can be expensive and have low-mechanical strength.
Temporary Magnets
Temporary magnets can vary in composition, as they are essentially any material that behaves like a permanent magnet when in the presence of a magnetic field. Soft iron devices, such as paper clips, are often temporary magnets.
Electromagnets
Electromagnets are made by winding a wire into multiple loops around a core material—this formation is known as a solenoid. To magnetize electromagnets, an electrical current is passed through the solenoid to create a magnetic field. The field is strongest on the inside of the coil, and the strength of the field is proportionate to the number of loops and the strength of the current.
Artificial magnet
Magnets produced from magnetic materials are called artificial magnets. They can be made in avariety of shapes and sizes and are used extensively in electrical apparatus. Artificial magnets are generally made from special iron or steel alloys which are usually magnetized electrically. The material to be magnetized is inserted into a coil of insulated wire and a heavy flow of electrons is passed through the wire. Magnets can also he produced by stroking a magnetic material with magnetite, or with another artificial magnet. The forces causing magnetization are represented by magnetic lines of force, very similar in nature to the electrostatic lines of force.
Artificial magnets are usually classified as permanent or temporary, depending on their ability to retain their magneticproperties after the magnetizing forces have been removed. Magnets made from substances, such as hardened steel and certain alloys which retain a great deal of their magnetism, are called permanent magnets. These materials are relatively difficult to magnetize because of the opposition offered to the magnetic lines of force as the lines of force try to distribute themselves throughout the material. The opposition that amaterial offers to the magnetic lines of force is calledreluctance. All permanent magnets are produced from materialshaving a high reluctance.
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