MAGNETISM

What is magnetism?

Magnetism is a type of force. A force is a push or pull. Magnets exert a force on other magnetic objects. Therefore the magnetic force is the pull (attraction) or push (repulsion) of a magnet. The magnetic field is the area around the magnet in which the magnetic force is felt.
Features of magnetic fields

Iron fillings and bar magnets can be used to investigate the field around magnets. The behaviour of the lines of magnetic force about a magnet and its behaviour at the poles can be illustrated as follows:

Like poles repel. At point P there is no magnetic field. P is called a neutral point.

Note: a) Lines of force in the form of arrows leave the N pole and enter the S pole at the end of the magnet. b) The magnetic poles are not at the very ends of a bar magnet. c) Lines of force never cross each other. d) Magnetic fields are strongest where the lines of force are closest together.

How do we get North and South Poles?

The earth itself is like a giant magnet. A magnetic force is exerted from its North and South Poles. * A freely moving magnet comes to rest pointing roughly north -south. The end pointing north is called the north-seeking or north pole (N-pole) of the magnet. The other end is called the south seeking (S-pole).

Magnetized and unmagnetized objects

In an unmagnetized object there are millions of micro-magnets. The poles of these magnets point in different directions and so cancel out each other. If the micro magnets are turned to point in the same direction, then the piece of iron becomes magnetized because all the tiny N-poles work together to produce a strong magnetic force.

What is the Law of Magnets?

The Law of Magnets states: Like poles repel. Unlike poles attract.
Magnetic Materials

Some materials are attracted to magnets while others are not. Iron, nickel and cobalt are easily magnetized. A magnet can be placed nearby the above materials without touching them. They can then attract small object like pins and paper clips. This is called magnetic induction. These same materials lose their magnetism very quickly. They are soft magnets. Mixing metals together can strengthen their properties. Steel, an alloy (mixture of metals) made mainly with iron is harder to magnetize than iron. However, once magnetized it does not easily lose its magnetism. It is used to make permanent magnets. It is a hard magnetic material. Some alloys (e.g. Alnico) are harder than steel and make excellent permanent magnets. These magnets exert a very strong magnetic force.

Other alloys like mumetal (iron-nickel) are much softer than iron. Magnetism is easily induced in them but is also very easily lost or reversed. These properties make mumetal an effective magnetic shield for sensitive instruments, from strong magnets or the earths magnetic field. Magnetic shields (also called armatures or keepers) do not allow magnetism to pass through them. They absorb the magnetic force. They are made of very soft magnetic materials. Some materials such as paper, wood, plastic and glass (typically non-metals) are not magnetized. They are non-magnetic. They do allow magnetic forces to pass through them though.
Magnetizing an object.

An object can be made magnetic using one of the two methods shown below. The Stroking Method. 1. Mark one end of the piece of steel. 2. Starting at the marked end, stroke the piece of steel with the N-pole of a strong magnet. Lift the magnet clear at the other end. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2, ten (10) times in the same direction. Electrical Method 1. Wind 1 meter of insulated copper wire around a large nail 2. Connect the ends of the wire to a battery. 3. Test electro-magnet on small nails to measure strength. Electro-magnets are used in cranes in steelworks, speakers.
The Earth as a magnet

The earths core is made mostly of molten nickel-iron which at 2200C and free to move by a convection current is not permanently fixed (or magnetized). The earths magnetic field is not completely stationary; while at present the north magnetic pole is in northern Canada, it has been observed to move slowly over the years. The magnetization in iron-bearing rocks in the earths crust also suggests that the magnetic field has completely reversed direction occasionally.

The magnetic compass

Compasses are used to find the direction of the horizontal component of the earths magnetic field. The compass needle is pivoted so that its N-pole can turn freely in a horizontal circle, i.e. a plane parallel to the surface of the earth. As a result the earths north magnetic pole attracts one end of the compass needle, so it always points north.
How can a compass be used to find direction?

A scouting compass resembles a pocket watch. The dial of the compass has the four geographical directions printed on it: north (N), south (S), east (E) and west (W). These four directions are called the cardinal points of the compass. If lost in a forest the compass can be used as follows; 1. Rest the compass on a flat surface. 2. Carefully turn the compass, keeping the needle as still as possible, until the N on the compass dial is directly beneath the north-pointing arm of the needle. 3. The N on the dial now faces north, S south and so on. 4. Pick up the compass. Walk in the direction west (W), south (S), east (E) or north (N) that will lead you to a land mark that will take you home. 5. Ever so often the compass should be set on a level surface to ensure that the needle has not been turned away by tilting.