Chapter-10 Magnetism

Introduction to Magnetism

• Magnet: An object that can attract magnetic materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel.

• Magnets are classified into:

1. Natural magnets: Found naturally, such as lodestone.

2. Artificial magnets: Made by humans from iron or other magnetic materials. Examples:

▪ Bar magnet – straight, with poles at the ends

▪ Horseshoe magnet – U-shaped for stronger magnetic

effect

▪ Magnetic needle – thin magnet used in compasses

▪ Magnetic compass – used for navigation

Properties of Magnets:

1. Magnets have two poles, North (N) and South (S).

2. When suspended freely, a magnet aligns itself along the

geographic North–South direction.

3. Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.

4. The magnetic force is strongest at the poles and weakest at the middle.

Examples:

• A bar magnet attracts small iron filings, showing the effect of magnetic poles.

• Two north poles of different magnets repel each other, while a north and south pole attract.

Induced Magnetism

• Definition: When a magnetic material is placed near or in contact with a magnet, it becomes
magnetised temporarily. This is called induced magnetism.

• Process: Magnetic induction is the transfer of magnetic properties from a magnet to a material
without touching it necessarily.

Example:

• A bar magnet brought near an iron nail

magnetises it temporarily. The nail then
attracts another nail, forming a chain.

Important Points:

1. Induced magnetism is temporary.

 2. When the original magnet is removed, the magnetism in the nails gradually disappears, starting
from the nail farthest from the magnet.

3. This principle is used in electromagnets, lifting devices, and magnetic switches.

Magnetic Field

• Definition: The space around a magnet where its magnetic influence can be felt is called a magnetic
field.

• Direction of the magnetic field: The direction in which the north pole of a compass needle points
at a particular point.

Magnetic Field Lines

• Imaginary lines representing the

direction and strength of the
magnetic field.

• Tangent at any point gives the

direction of the magnetic field at that
point.

Properties of Magnetic Field Lines:

1. They form closed and continuous

loops.

2. Outside the magnet, they run from North to South.

3. Never intersect each other.

4. Denser lines near poles indicate a stronger field, while sparser lines in the middle indicate a
weaker field.
5. Parallel, evenly spaced lines represent a uniform magnetic field.

Example:

• A compass shows the direction of field lines around a magnet. The needle aligns tangent to the field
line at its position.

Magnetic Field of the Earth

• Earth behaves like a giant bar magnet, with magnetic
poles and an equator.

Evidence for Earth’s Magnetic Field:

1. A freely suspended magnetic needle aligns along
North–South.
 2. Iron rods buried along North–South direction get magnetised.

3. Magnetic needle shows different angles with horizontal at different places on Earth.

Key Terms:

• Magnetic Poles: Points where the magnetic needle stands vertically.

• Magnetic Equator: Imaginary line joining points where the needle is horizontal.

Example:

• Compass needles point North because they align with the Earth’s magnetic field.

Neutral Points

• Definition: Neutral points are points where the magnetic field of a magnet cancels out the
horizontal component of Earth’s magnetic field, resulting in zero net field.

Observation:

• When the North pole of a magnet faces geographic North, neutral points are located on either
side of the magnet along the East–West line.

• When the South pole faces North, neutral points are along the axial line (North–South).

Example:
• Using a compass, neutral points can be found as points of zero deflection near a bar magnet.

When The Given Magnet Is Placed With Its North Pole Pointing Towards North:

The magnetic field lines obtained in this position are shown in the figure below which are due to the

combined effect of the magnetic field of the magnet and the Earth's magnetic field.

When The Given Magnet Is Placed With Its South Pole Pointing Towards North:

The magnetic field lines obtained in this position are shown in the figure below which are due to the
combined effect of the magnetic field of the magnet and the Earth's magnetic field.

From the above figures, we can conclude that (for both the positions)

• The magnetic field lines near the magnet are curved, and they are mainly due to the magnetic field of
the magnet which is much stronger than the magnetic field of the Earth. The magnetic field lines at
distant points are parallel to each other and are mainly due to the Earth's magnetic field.
• There are two points equidistant from the centre of the magnet where the magnetic field of the
magnet and the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field neutralise each other. These are
the neutral points.

Non-Uniform Magnetic Field

• The magnetic field near a magnet is non-uniform, i.e., its strength and direction vary from point to
point.

Characteristics:

1. Near the magnet: Field lines are curved and dense, indicating a strong local field.
2. Far from the magnet: Field lines are almost parallel, dominated by Earth’s magnetic field.
Applications:

• Important in compass navigation, magnetic shielding, and electric motors.

Applications and Examples

1. Chain of Nails: Shows induced magnetism – nails attract each other when placed near a magnet.

2. Compass Needle: Aligns with Earth’s magnetic field.

3. Neutral Points Experiment: Compass shows zero deflection, confirming field cancellation.
4. Everyday Applications:

o Magnetic compasses for navigation

o Magnets in speakers and electric motors

o MRI machines in medical imaging

o Electromagnets in lifting heavy metal objects

Summary Table of Key Points

Topic Key Points

Natural vs Artificial Magnets Natural: Found in nature; Artificial: Made by humans

Magnetic Poles North and South; Like poles repel, unlike poles attract

Induced Magnetism Temporary; occurs when material is near a magnet

Magnetic Field Lines Closed loops; tangent gives field direction; dense at poles

Earth’s Magnetic Field Needle aligns N–S; magnetic poles vertical, equator horizontal

Neutral Points Where magnet field = Earth’s horizontal field in opposite direction

Non-uniform Field Curved near magnet, parallel at distant points

Important Terms

1. Magnetisation: Process of making a material magnetic.

2. Temporary Magnetism: Induced in a material only in the presence of a magnet.
3. Permanent Magnetism: Material remains magnetised even after removing the magnet.

4. Magnetic Equator: Line of zero vertical component of Earth’s magnetic field.

5. Magnetic Poles: Locations where magnetic field is vertical.

6. Neutral Point: Point of zero net magnetic field.

Examples for Practice

1. Describe the magnetic field of a bar magnet.

2. Explain induced magnetism using a chain of nails.
3. Find neutral points of a magnet facing geographic North.

4. Explain the difference between temporary and permanent magnetism.

5. Explain the Earth’s magnetic field using a freely suspended needle.