ARTIFICIAL MAGNETS

Artificial magnets are man-made magnets created

by magnetizing certain materials like iron, cobalt, and
nickel. They can be temporary or permanent, depending
on how long they retain their magnetism. Permanent
magnets maintain their magnetism for a long time, while
temporary magnets lose it when the external magnetic
field is removed. Electromagnets are a special type of
artificial magnet that can be controlled using electric
current. These magnets are widely used in industries,
medical devices, and everyday applications
TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL MAGNETS
Artificial magnets are man-made magnets created
by magnetizing certain materials like iron, cobalt, and
nickel. They can be classified into different types based
on their properties and applications.
1. PERMANENT MAGNETS
A permanent magnet is a magnet that retains its
magnetic properties even in the absence of an external
magnetic field or current. It naturally produces a
magnetic field and can attract certain materials like iron
and steel without needing an external influence.
Permanent magnets are made from hard ferromagnetic
materials such as ferrite and Alnico.
Examples for permanent magnet:
-Bar Magnets – Rectangular-shaped magnets used in
experiments.
- Horseshoe Magnets – U-shaped magnets with strong
magnetic fields.
- Alnico Magnets – Made from aluminum, nickel, and
cobalt, used in loudspeakers.
- Ferrite Magnets – Ceramic-based magnets used in
electrical devices.
- Neodymium Magnets – Extremely strong magnets used
in electronics and medical devices.
[Link] MAGNETS
A temporary magnet is a material that exhibits
magnetic properties only when exposed to an external
magnetic field or electric current. Unlike permanent
magnets, temporary magnets lose their magnetism once
the external influence is removed. Common examples
include iron nails, paperclips, and electromagnets.
Examples for temporary magnet:
- Soft Iron Magnets – Used in transformers and relays.
- Paper Clips and Nails – Become magnetized when near
a strong magnet.
- Magnetized Steel – Retains magnetism for a short
duration.
[Link] MAGNETS
Electromagnets are created by passing an electric
current through a coil wound around a core. Their
strength can be controlled by adjusting the current.
Examples for electromagnets:
- Solenoids – Cylindrical coils used in electric motors.
- Relay Magnets – Used in electrical circuits.
- MRI Magnets – Used in medical imaging.
- Industrial Lifting Magnets – Used to lift heavy metal
objects.
- Magnetic Locks – Used in security systems.
SOME BASIC PROPERTIES OF
MAGNETS
[Link] POLES
Every magnet has two distinct poles—north and
south. These poles determine how magnets interact with
each other. Opposite poles attract, while similar poles
repel. This force is fundamental to magnetism and
governs how objects move in a magnetic field. The
strength of attraction or repulsion depends on the
distance between magnets. The Earth itself acts like a
giant magnet with its own poles. Compasses work using
this property, aligning with Earth's magnetic field.A
magnetic field is the region around a magnet where
magnetic forces can be felt. It is invisible but can be
observed using iron filings that align themselves along
field lines.
[Link] TO CERTAIN MATERIALS
Magnets primarily attract ferromagnetic materials
like iron, nickel, and cobalt. These materials contain
atoms with unpaired electrons that align to form a strong
magnetic effect. Some materials, like stainless steel, may
not be strongly magnetic due to their composition.
Magnets are widely used to separate ferrous metals in
recycling industries. Magnetic attraction plays a key role
in electric motors, generators, and hard drives. Certain
alloys can be made into permanent magnets by treating
them with strong magnetic fields. Natural magnets, like
lodestones, exhibit this property without external
influence.
[Link] AND ATTRACTION
When two magnets come close to each other, they
either pull together or push apart based on their pole
orientation. This phenomenon is due to the movement of
magnetic field lines. Attraction occurs when opposite
poles meet, while repulsion happens between like poles.
This property is used in maglev trains, where repelling
magnets help eliminate friction. Magnetic repulsion is
also applied in stabilization systems in engineering.
Scientists use repulsion principles to develop contactless
magnetic bearings. The strength of repulsion and
attraction depends on the magnet's material and external
influences.
[Link] AND TEMPORARY
MAGNETISM
Some magnets, like bar magnets, remain magnetized
indefinitely unless exposed to extreme conditions.
Temporary magnets, like electromagnets, require an
external electric current to produce a magnetic field. Soft
iron is often used in electromagnets since it loses
magnetism once current stops. Magnetic properties can
be strengthened by exposing materials to stronger
magnetic fields. Magnets can become demagnetized due
to heat, impact, or external opposing magnetic forces.
Permanent magnets are made from specific materials,
like neodymium, with strong atomic alignment.
Temporary magnetism is crucial in electric bells, motors,
and magnetic locks.
[Link] INDUCTION
When a non-magnetic material is placed near a
strong magnet, it temporarily acquires magnetic
properties. This occurs because the external magnetic
field forces atomic alignment in the material. The
induced magnetism weakens when the magnet is
removed. This principle is useful in devices like
transformers and induction cooktops. Ferromagnetic
materials are particularly prone to magnetic induction.
Electromagnetic induction is also used in generating
electricity through moving conductors in a magnetic
field. Scientists use induction methods to study materials
at a microscopic level.
[Link] WITH ELECTRIC CURRENT
Moving a magnet near a conductor generates
electricity due to electromagnetic induction. This
principle is used in generators to convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy. Conversely, an electric
current passing through a conductor produces a magnetic
field. This principle is the foundation for electromagnets,
which are used in cranes to lift heavy metallic objects.
Motors work by converting electrical energy into
magnetic forces that generate rotational motion. The
strength of the magnetic field depends on the amount of
current flowing through a coil. This interaction is
fundamental in wireless charging, data storage, and
modern energy solutions.
6. MAGNETIC FIELD
The region around a magnet where its force can be
felt is called the magnetic field. It is represented by
magnetic field lines that emerge from the north pole and
enter the south pole. These lines never intersect and are
denser near the poles, indicating stronger magnetic force.
Magnetic fields can be visualized using iron filings or
detected using a compass. They play a crucial role in
understanding how magnets interact with their
surroundings.
SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
CONNECTED WITH MAGNETISM
[Link]
i. Magnetism is a natural force that causes certain
materials to attract or repel each other.
ii. It arises due to the motion of electric charges,
especially electrons.
iii. This force is strongest in materials like iron, cobalt,
and nickel.
iv. Magnetism is responsible for the behaviour of
magnets and magnetic fields.
v. It plays a key role in many devices like motors,
generators, and compasses.
vi. Without magnetism, modern technology would
look very different.
[Link] FIELD
i. A magnetic field is the region around a magnet
where magnetic forces can be felt.
ii. It is represented by invisible lines called magnetic
field lines.
iii. These lines flow from the north pole to the south
pole of a magnet.
iv. The strength of the field is greater where the lines
are closer together.
v. Magnetic fields can be visualized using iron filings
or a compass.
vi. They are essential in understanding how magnets
interact with their surroundings.
[Link] POLE
i. Magnetic poles are the two ends of a magnet where
the magnetic force is strongest.
ii. They are called the north pole and the south pole.
Like poles repel each other, while unlike poles
attract.
iii. Poles always come in pairs—you can’t isolate just
one.
iv. Even if you cut a magnet, each piece will have both
poles.
v. This property is unique to magnetism and differs
from electric charges.
4. MAGNETIC AXIS
i. The magnetic axis is an imaginary line joining the
north and south poles of a magnet.
ii. It defines the direction of the magnet’s internal
alignment.
iii. This axis may not always match the physical center
of the magnet.
iv. It helps in understanding the orientation of the
magnetic field.
v. In Earth’s case, the magnetic axis is tilted from the
geographic axis.
vi. This tilt affects compass readings and navigation.
5. MAGNETIC LENGTH
i. Magnetic length is the distance between the two
poles of a magnet.
ii. It is slightly shorter than the actual physical length
of the magnet.
iii. This is because the poles are not exactly at the ends
of the magnet.
iv. It is used in calculations involving magnetic force
and moment.
v. Magnetic length helps define the effective area of
magnetic influence.
vi. It’s an important concept in magnet design and
analysis.
[Link] MOMENT
i. Magnetic moment measures the strength and
direction of a magnet.
ii. It is the product of pole strength and magnetic
length.
iii. This quantity is a vector, pointing from south to
north pole.
iv. It determines how strongly a magnet will align in a
magnetic field.
v. The greater the magnetic moment, the stronger the
magnet.
vi. It’s crucial in understanding magnetic behavior at
atomic and macroscopic levels.
[Link] INDUCTION
i. Magnetic induction is the process of magnetizing a
material by placing it in a magnetic field.
ii. It’s also called magnetic flux density and is
denoted by B.
iii. It shows how much magnetic field passes through a
given area.
iv. The unit of magnetic induction is the tesla (T).
v. It helps explain how temporary magnets are
formed.
vi. This concept is widely used in transformers and
electric motors.
[Link] SUSCEPTIBILITY
i. Magnetic susceptibility is a measure of how much
a material becomes magnetized when placed in an
external magnetic field.
ii. It is denoted by the symbol χ and is a
dimensionless quantity.
iii. Materials with positive susceptibility (χ > 0) are
attracted to magnetic fields (like paramagnetic
and ferromagnetic substances), while those with
negative susceptibility (χ < 0) are repelled (like
diamagnetic materials).
iv. The formula is χ = M / H, where M is
magnetization and H is the magnetic field
strength.
COULOMB’s LAW OF MAGNETIC
FORCE
The force between two magnetic poles is directly
proportional to the product of their pole strengths and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them.
Mathematically, it's expressed as:

F=
Where:
 (F) is the magnetic force
 (q) and ( ) are the strengths of the magnetic poles
 ( ) is the distance between the poles
 (μ₀) is the permeability of free space
This law is conceptually similar to Coulomb’s law in
electrostatics, but it applies to magnetic poles instead of
electric charges.
SI UNIT OF MAGNETIC FORCE

The SI unit associated with Coulomb’s law of magnetic

force is newton (N), which measures the force between
two magnetic poles. But to break it down further:
 The pole strength of a magnetic pole is measured in
ampere-meter (Am).
 The permeability of free space (μ₀) has units of
henry per meter (H/m) or equivalently newton per
ampere squared (N·A⁻²).
So, when you apply Coulomb’s law for magnetic poles:

F=

Here:
 (F) is the force in newtons (N)
 (q) and ( ) are pole strengths in Am
 ( ) is the distance in meters (m)
The resulting unit for force remains newton, just like in
the electrostatic version of Coulomb’s law.