SH1649

Magnetism
I. Magnet
· What is a magnet?
o A magnet is anything that carries a magnetic field around it.
o Magnets are any material that attracts iron or steel.
o It can be made in a variety of shapes, common examples are bar magnet, horse-
shoe magnet, or cylindrical, but all magnets have two (2) poles: the North and
South pole at opposite ends.
o Opposite poles attract each other, same poles repel.

· How do magnet works?

o Magnet works because of the effect of positive and negative forces acting on
each other. Because the positive proton is trapped in the nucleus of the atom,
it is the moving negative electrons that are mostly responsible for the working
of electrical current.

· How were magnets discovered?

o The first magnets were not invented. A shepherd named Magnes, an ancient
Greek discovered a kind of rock that can attract and pick up bits of iron. This
type of iron ore is called a magnetite and its power of attraction is called
magnetism.
o Some people believe that magnetite was first discovered at a place called
Magnesia.

II. Types of Magnets

· There are three (3) main types of magnets:
· Permanent Magnets
o A permanent magnet is one that holds its magnetic properties over a long
period of time.
Ø Magnetite
o Magnetite is a magnetic material found in nature. It is a permanent
magnet, but it is relatively weak.
o Found in the form of ore deposits called magnetite (commonly known as
loadstone).
Ø Alloys
o Most permanent magnets we use are manufactured and are a
combination or alloy of iron, nickel and cobalt. Permanent magnets are
a special type of magnet that can have extreme strengths.

· Temporary Magnets
o A temporary magnet is one that will lose its magnetism. For example, soft
iron, such as paper clip, can be made into a temporary magnet, but it will
lose its magnetic power in a short while.

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 1 of 4
 SH1649

· Electromagnet
o An electromagnet is a magnet that is created using an electric current
created by electricity. Since electricity can be turned on and off, so can an
electromagnet. It can even be weakened or strengthened by decreasing or
increasing the current.

III. Magnetism
· What is magnetism?
o Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels magnetic materials; it has
electromagnetic effects due to the arrangement of atoms particularly its
electrons.

· Demagnetization
o Magnets can be demagnetized in the following ways:
Ø Heat
o Heating a magnet until it is red hot makes it lose its magnetic properties.
Ø Contact with another magnet
o Stroking one magnet with another in a random fashion, will demagnetize
the magnet being stroked.
Ø Hammering or jarring
o It will loosen the magnets atoms from their magnetic attraction.

IV. Magnetic Field

o Region in the vicinity of a magnet where the characteristics of magnetism can be
demonstrated
o It is made of imaginary lines of force called flux lines.

https:www.google.com.ph

o Magnetic poles are like static charges. Like poles repel each other and unlike poles
attract. This is an important rule in magnetism. But take note when flux is placed
near each other. If two (2) magnetic fields are placed near each other, they will not
combine, but instead reform in a distorted flux pattern.

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 2 of 4
 SH1649

Like poles repel

Unlike poles attract

https:www.google.com.ph

· Characteristics of Magnetic Field

o The flux lines are continuous, elastic, and they never intersect each other.
o The flux lines can be distorted by another magnetic field or by the presence of
a ferromagnetic material.
o The external flux is concentrated near the poles of a magnet.

· Random Orientation of Domains

https://www.google.com.ph

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 3 of 4
 SH1649

· Common Orientation of Domains

.
https://www.google.com.ph

V. Ferromagnetism
o Materials that can be magnetized, which are also the ones that are strongly
attracted to a magnet, are called ferromagnetic. Example of these materials
include iron, nickel, and cobalt. These materials are able to create and hold a
specific alignment of their atoms.

VI. Electromagnetism
o Electricity and magnetism are known to be components of the unified theory of
electromagnetism.
o The connection develops from the fact that an electric current (the flow of electrons
in a metal) produces a magnetic field.

References:
· Ekshiksha.org – About Magnet. History and Definition (n.d.). Retrieved on June 9,
2016 at http://www.ekshiksha.org.in/eContent-Show.do?documentId=52
· Floyd, T. (2011). Electronic devices (9th edition). Singapore: Pearson Education
Asia.
· Malvino, A. & Bates, D. (2006). Electronic principles (7th edition.). McGraw-Hill.
· Study.com – What is a Magnet? Definition and Examples (n.d.). Retrieved on June
8, 2016 at http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-magnet-definition-
examples.html.
· Images: www.google.com

02 Handout 1 *Property of STI

Page 4 of 4