MAGNETISM

MAGNETISM

MAGNETISM

A magnet is a substance which attracts metals or magnetic materials.

Magnetism is the behavior shown by magnet, the behavior of attracting metals/magnetic materials.

PROPERTIES OF MAGNET

1. Magnets attract magnetic materials like iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.

2. Magnet posses two poles northern pole (N) and southern pole(S).

3. Like magnetic poles repel but unlike magnetic poles attract.

4. If a magnet is suspended freely always point in the northern – south direction.

The end pointing north is called North Pole (N) of magnetic and the end pointing south is called the South Pole (S) of the magnetic.

TYPES OF MAGNETS

Magnets can be divided into three types namely;

1.Permanent magnet

These are natural magnets. The force of magnetism exist for a long time after being magnetized.

2. Temporary magnets

These are magnets where by the force of magnetism exist just for a short time after being magnetized.

3. Electric magnets

These are artificial or man-made magnets where by force of magnetism exist only if there is the flow of electricity.

MAGNETIC AND NON-MAGNETIC MATERIALS
1. MAGNETIC MATERIAL

Materials which are attracted by magnet are called magnetic materials. Magnetic materials are not self magnetic since they do not attract each other. Example of magnetic materials are iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel. Magnetic materials can be made magnetic by artificial methods of magnetization.

2. NON-MAGNETIC MATERIAL

Material which cannot be attracted by magnets are called non-magnetic material and these materials cannot be made magnetic. Examples of non-magnetic materials are brass, zinc, copper and carbon.

APPLICATION OF MAGNETS

Magnets are used in;

                                 -Loud speakers

                                 -Telephone receiver

                                 -Microphones

                                 -Computers

                                 -Electric generators

                                 -Tapes etc.

MAGNETIZATION /MAKING MAGNETS

There are three methods by which magnetic materials can be turned into a magnet namely. Stroking, induction and electrical magnetization

1. STROKING METHOD

In this method the steel bar and any other material to be magnetized is placed on the bench.

The pole of bar magnet is dragged along the bar from one end and the other. At the end it is lifted up well away from this steel bar and brought back to the same end where drugging started. This is repeated several times.

THE DOMAIN THEORY OF MAGNETISM

Each magnetic material is made up of extremely small molecules called Domains. In magnetic materials which are not yet a magnetic poles in different direction.

MAGNETIC FIELD

A magnetic field is space around a magnet where a magnetic force is felt.

In any magnet there are several invisible lines that extend from north pole to the south pole through outside to the magnet forming closed loop. These lines are called a magnetic field

Whenever two similar poles are placed to each other, there is a point between them of which the magnetic field lines do not pass, such as a point is called natural point x.

In (E) the piece of soft iron becomes magnetic when placed inside the field and cause the force to come closer to one another. Thus, it consulates the field. The concentration of lines of force in soft iron can be used to shield objects from unwanted magnet field.The iron tin material (f) produces the neutral central, The space enclosed by soft iron or steel would be for magnetic field effect.                                       

THE EARTH′S MAGNETISM

A freely suspended magnet or compass needle always points in the north south direction. This is due to the magnetic field of the earth. The earth magnetic field extends from deeply below the surface to the south land kilometer up in the sky.

The direction pointed by the compass needle is slightly different on the time or geographical north. Angle of declination is formed between magnetic north and geographical north.

The angle which the magnet is suspended makes a horizontal is called the angle of dip,The angle of dip is zero at equator and 90⁰ at equator.

Declination and the earth magnetism