TOPIC – MAGNETISM
Simple phenomena of magnetism:
A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field.
Magnetic forces arise from interactions between these magnetic fields.
A maget has a pole at either end; a north (N pole) and a south (S pole).
The force between magnetic poles depends on which poles are facing one another:
Like poles experience repulsion
Opposite poles experiences attraction
Non – Magnetic materials are materials that are not attracted to magnets.
These include glass and plastic.
There is No force between a magnet and a Non-magnetic material.
Magnetic Materials are materials that are attracted to magnets.
These include Iron, Nickel, Cobalt and Steel
The force between a magnet and magnetic materials is always attractive, regardless of
the pole the material is placed at and whether it is unmagnetized or magnetised.
Magnetic materials can be magnetised (given the properties of a magnet) by Induced magnetism:
The material is placed in a magnetic field using one of the following methods:
Stroking them with a magnet
Hammering them in a magnetic field
Placing them in a coil with a direct current through it
One end of the material becomes a north pole, the other becomes a sound pole.
Some become Permanently magnetised (steel) from this process.
Others can only become temporary (induced) magnets (soft iron).
EXAMPLE: When soft iron is placed within coiled wire with a direct current running through it, this
makes a common temporary magnet known as an electromagnet.
There are differences in the properties of temporary magnets and permanent magnets:
Temporary magnets lose magnetism when the magnetic field is removed.
Permanent magnets do not, because they make their own magnetic field.
Therefore, temporary magnets can be turned ON and OFF.
Permanent magnets cannot.
Temporary magnets, such as Electromagnets, are used for things wen turn on and off, such as
electric motors and moving scrap metal.
Permanent magnets are used for things that always need to be on, such as fridges and
compasses.
Magnets are surrounded by a magnetic field – a region in which a magnetic pole experiences the
force from another magnet or magnetic material.
A magnetic diagram can be drawn to show the strength and direction of a magnetic field.
Magnetic field lines are drawn around bar magnets.
The direction of the magnetic field at a point (the direction of the force on the north pole
of a magnet placed in the magnetic field at that point) is shown using arrows on the
field lines (that must point from the north to south pole).
Magnetic field strength is shown by how close field lines are to one another (Closer together
=Stronger)
The magnetic field is stronger at the poles and decreases with distance away from them.
There are two methods which allow you to visualise and plot magnetic field lines with a plotting
compass:
Place a magnet on top of paper.
Draw around the magnet on the paper
Put a plotting compass next to a point around the magnet’s edge, with its needle
pointing towards this point.
Draw a dot at the other side of the compass needle.
Move the compass so that it points towards the new dot, and draw a dot on the other
side of the compass needle again.
Repeat to form a dotted line connecting one end of the magnet to the other.
Linking the dots gives the magnetic field line.
The direction of the field line is the same as the direction of the plotting compass.
Repeat this whole process, starting at a difference point around the magnets edge to
draw another field line.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes :2
Magnets have a magnetic field around them and two opposite poles (north and south). Like
poles repel and unlike poles attract.
• Magnets can attract magnetic materials and induce magnetism in them. Non-magnetic materials
are not affected.
• Induced magnetism is weak and can be strengthened by stroking with a magnet.
The most effective method is using a solenoid with a DC current.
• Ferromagnetic materials (e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt) can be magnetized, but not all magnetic
materials are ferromagnetic (e.g. aluminum, copper, gold).
• Soft ferromagnetic materials are used for temporary magnets, while hard ferromagnetic materials
are used for permanent magnets.
• Permanent magnets are used in a variety of applications, such as refrigerator magnets, motors,
generators, and speakers. Electromagnets are temporary magnets that are created by running an
electric current through a coil of wire. They are used in applications where the magnetism is needed
only temporarily, such as cranes and doorbells.
• Magnetic forces are due to the interactions between magnetic fields. The strength of a magnetic
field depends on the strength of the magnet and the distance from the magnet. The spacing between
magnetic field lines indicates the strength of the field – the closer the lines, the stronger the field.
• Magnetic field lines go from north to south. The south pole of a magnet is attracted to the north end
of a compass needle.
• Materials can be demagnetized by a demagnetizing field (using a solenoid with AC), high
temperature, or physical impact.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer the following questions: - worksheet questions:
1. Describe the forces between magnetic poles and between magnets and magnetic materials,
including the use of the terms north pole (N pole), south pole (S pole), attraction and repulsion,
magnetised and unmagnetised
2. Describe induced magnetism
3. State the differences between the properties of temporary magnets (made of soft iron) and the
properties of permanent magnets (made of steel)
4. State the difference between magnetic and non- magnetic materials
5. Describe a magnetic field as a region in which a magnetic pole experiences a force
6. Draw the pattern and direction of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
7. State that 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
8. Describe the plotting of magnetic field lines with a compass or iron filings and the use of a compass
to determine the direction of the magnetic field
9. Describe the uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets
10. Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic fields
11. Know that the relative strength of a magnetic field is represented by the spacing of the magnetic
field lines