MERRYLAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
GRADE 8 – MAGNETISM
Learning objectives:
Describe the forces between magnetic poles and magnetic materials.
Explain a magnetic field using magnetic field lines and their properties.
Draw the pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.
Magnetic materials are made up of small regions called domains.
In each domain, the atoms point in the same direction, so each domain behaves like a tiny
magnet.
When a magnetic field is applied, all the domains align in the same direction, causing the
material to become magnetised.
When the material is not magnetised, the domains point in different directions, so their effects
cancel out.
All magnets are metals but not all metals are magnets.
Magnetic vs non-magnetic materials
Magnetic materials Non – magnetic materials
Materials that are attracted to a magnet. Materials that are not attracted to a magnet.
These materials can be magnetised - Atoms These materials cannot be magnetised -
can be aligned as in domains. Atoms can’t attain domain.
Eg: Iron, Cobalt, Nickel and alloys of these Eg: Zinc, Copper, Gold, Magnesium, Silver,
materials (steel or Alnico). Aluminium.
Magnetic poles
• The ends of a magnet are called poles.
• Magnets have two poles: a north and a south.
• Poles always exist in pairs; a single pole cannot exist on its own.
South pole
• Pole which is pointing towards the geographic south when a magnet is freely
suspended is called south pole or south seeking pole.
North pole
• Pole which is pointing towards the geographic north when a magnet is freely
suspended is called north pole or north seeking pole.
Magnetic force
• When two magnets are held close together, there will be a force between the magnets.
• Magnetic forces are strongest at the poles.
• The attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is an example of a non-
contact force.
• Like poles repel (push each other apart).
• A north pole will repel a north pole.
• A south pole will repel a south pole.
• Opposite or unlike poles attract (are pulled toward each other).
• A north pole will be attracted to a south pole.
Magnetic field
A region around the magnet where the magnetic force is experienced.
Magnetic field lines
Magnetic field lines are imaginary circular loops formed around the magnet.
Field lines always have an arrow indicating the direction of the field line.
The direction of a magnetic field at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of
a magnet at that point.
Properties of magnetic field lines
Magnetic field lines always go from north pole (N) to south
pole (S).
Magnetic field lines will never intersect with each other.
The magnetic field is the strongest at the poles.
Therefore, the magnetic field lines are closer together at
the ends of the magnets.
The magnetic field becomes weaker as the distance
from the magnet increases. Therefore, the magnetic
field lines get further apart
The direction of the field line shows the direction that the
magnetic force would act.
Learning objectives:
Describe the uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
Describe the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids.
Analyse the factors that determine the strength of an electromagnet.
Magnetic field of a straight current-carrying wire
• When a current flows through a conducting wire a magnetic field is produced around
the wire.
• In simple terms, every current carrying conductor has a magnetic field around it.
Magnetic field around a loop of wire
• To increase the strength of the magnetic field around the wire it can be coiled to form
a solenoid.
• The magnetic field around the solenoid is similar to that of a bar magnet
Presence of an iron core
• Placing an iron bar inside the solenoid greatly increases the magnetic field strength.
• The iron bar gets magnetised when current is flowing through the solenoid.
Electromagnets
• When an electric current flows in a wire it creates a magnetic field around the wire.
• If this wire is wound around magnetic material, such as an iron, then an electromagnet
is made.
• The electromagnet is magnetic only when current flows through the wire.
Soft and Hard Magnetic Materials
Soft Magnet Hard Magnet
Easy to magnetise. Takes time to magnetise.
Easy to demagnetise. Retains magnetism for long time.
Used as: Electromagnets. Used as: Permanent magnets.
Eg: iron. Eg: Steel, Alnico.
DC motor working principle
Current + magnetic field produce movement
Factors determining the strength of an electromagnet.
• Number of turns of the coil
Increasing the number of turns in a solenoid increases the strength of the magnetic
field.
• Presence of an iron core
Placing an iron bar inside the solenoid greatly increases the magnetic field strength.
• Strength of the current
More current flowing through a coil produces stronger magnetic field around it.
Types of magnets
• Permanent magnets
• Electromagnets
• Permanent Magnets: Used in devices that require a stable magnetic field, such as in
motors, Loudspeakers, door latches and Fridge magnets.
• Electromagnets: Used where variable magnetism is needed, such as in cranes,
Electric buzzers and bells and speakers, as they can be turned on and off by
controlling the electric current.
Application of electromagnet
Electric bell working
• When the switch is closed the
circuit is completed.
• The current flow in the circuit
will magnetise the soft-iron core
of the electromagnet.
• The soft-iron armature is pulled
toward the electromagnet and
hits the gong.
• At the same time, the contact
opens and stops the current
flow.
• Electromagnet gets
demagnetised.
• The spring mechanism brings
the armature back to its original
position.
• The contacts close again and a
similar process is repeated.
Uses of Permanent Magnets and Electromagnets
Uses of Permanent Magnets Uses of Electromagnets
Refrigerator door seals, fridge
Home Electric doorbells, relays, electric locks
magnets, cupboard latches
Schools & Lifting magnets in labs,
Compass needles, magnetic holders
Laboratory electromagnetic cranes
Scrap yard cranes, steel sorting
Industry Magnetic separators, magnetic clamps
machines
Transport Magnetic speed sensors, loudspeakers Train electric braking systems
Medical Magnetic clips in equipment MRI scanners
Earphones, microphones, permanent Electric motors, generators,
Electronics
magnet motors transformers
Security Magnetic door catches Electromagnetic door locks
Communication Speakers and microphones Telephone receivers, telegraph systems
Switching magnets on/off to pick and
Recycling Simple magnetic sorting of iron
drop metal
Science & Particle accelerators, research
Magnetic toys, compasses
Technology equipment
Learning objective:
Plotting magnetic field lines.
Procedure to plot magnetic field lines
• Place two magnets over the sheet of paper.
• Use a plotting compass (to mark N + S poles).
• Place the plotting compass near the N pole of a bar magnet and mark point.
• Move the compass slightly in that direction and mark again.
• Join the marks to form a field line.
• Repeat this at many positions around the magnet
Points to remember when plotting magnetic field lines
• Add arrows on the lines to show the direction from north to south
• the poles (south and north) of the magnet using a plotting compass
• The north end of the compass needle points in the direction of the field.
• Magnetic field lines go from the North pole to the South pole (outside the magnet).
• Mark the direction with small points each time you move the plotting compass.
• Join the points smoothly to form magnetic field lines.
• Field lines never cross or overlap each other.
• Where field lines are close together, the magnetic field is stronger.
• Keep the compass away from other magnets or magnetic materials to avoid errors.
• No two field lines start or end at the same point.