Magnetism

12 January 2023 10:17 PM

A magnetic material is one which is capable of being magnetised.

Magnets will attract other magnetic materials, like iron , cobalt or
nickel

Magnetic Poles
Magnetic forces are concentrated at the poles of the magnet (usually
located at the ends).
Each magnet has a N-Pole and S-Pole, making them magnetic dipoles.
It is thought that magnets only exist at dipoles, and that monopoles do
not exist.

Magnetic Fields
A magnetic field is the area in which a magnetic force acts

The further a magnet is from a magnetic material, the weaker the force
exhibited on it, hence, force decreases with distance.

Investigating Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields can be investigated using a plotting compass, which is
a very light magnet suspended on a low friction pivot. The needle aligns
itself in the direction of the field on which it is placed. Hence, like all
magnets, the end of the needle pointing north is the N-pole.
To investigate the fields of a magnet:
• Place the magnet on a piece of paper and the compass near it
• Mark the position of the north and south poles of the compass on the
paper.
• Continue to move the compass along the points until the field wraps
to the other pole.
• Do this multiple times around the magnet to get the field pattern
around the magnet.

The identity of a pole can be confirmed using a magnet where the poles
are known. Simply use the north or south pole to test the interaction of
the unknown pole. Unlike poles attract and same poles repel.

Earth's Magnetic Fields

Magnets freely suspended close to the Earth align themselves with the
Earth's magnetic fields. Earth's magnetic fields are concentrated at the
geometric north and south poles.

These magnetic fields are very important:

• It catches and hinders charged particles from the sun, from
damaging life on Earth
Migrating birds have biological magnetic sensors which they use
for navigation

Field Patterns:
Around a single bar magnet:

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Fields are directed out from north, into south

Two Bar Magnets With Unlike Poles Close

Reinforcement of field lines occurs

Two Bar Magnets With Alike Fields Close

Field lines do not cross. At point x there is a net magnetic force of 0. It is

known as the neutral point

Uniform and Non-Uniform Magnetic Fields

A uniform magnetic field is one in which the field lines are parallel

A fairly uniform field can be found between the poles of a C-shaped

magnet. Since most of the magnetic field is confined to this region, the
field can be very strong. Magnetic tape heads and electromagnet read-
write heads make use of such gaps to produce a strong magnetic field to
magnetise tapes or discs as they pass close to the gap

Radial Fields

Radial fields are a type of uniform field. A radial field radiates away
from the a round magnets with the field lines equidistant to each other

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Magnetism From Electricity

Hans Oersted proved that when an electric current flowed along a wire,
there would be a magnetic field around the wire.

This can be investigated using a plotting compass.

Direction of the Magnetic Field Around a Wire

The direction of the magnetic due to a straight, current carrying

conductor can by predicted using the right-hand grip rule.

Right-Hand Grip Rule:

Point the right thumb in the direction of the conventional current.
The fingers then curl in the direction of the current.

In diagrams, dots and crosses are used to represent the direction of

fields, or currents at right angles to the surface.
A dot represents a direction perpendicularly outward
A cross represents a direction perpendicularly inward

Dots and crosses with circles around them are used for currents and by
themselves for fields

Domain Theory of Magnetism

Magnetism is caused by moving charges. As electrons orbit the nucleus,
it forms a tiny dipole (represented by a N-S arrow)

Throughout materials, there are dipoles aligned randomly, which

cancels out any magnetism.

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Throughout materials, there are dipoles aligned randomly, which
cancels out any magnetism.

In magnetic materials, dipoles exist aligned together in domains.

This makes it easier for external magnetic fields to orient the dipoles in
the same direction, magnetising the object

Hard and Soft Magnetic Materials

The hardness of a magnetic material refers to the ease at which its

dipoles are aligned and misaligned.

Soft magnetic materials, like iron and Mumetal, are easily

magnetised, but lose their magnetism just as easily.

Hard magnetic materials are difficult to magnetise, but do not lose

their magnetism very easily. These materials, like steel, are used to
make permanent magnets.

Magnetic Induction

This is the process by which magnetic properties are transferred from one
body to another without physical contact. This partial, temporary
aligning of dipoles is what allows magnets to attract magnetic
materials.

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Methods of Making Magnets
Method 1: Stroking

The North pole of the bar magnet is stroked along the length of the iron
nail. As it reaches the end it is lifted and brought back to the nail head
where it is stroked in the same direction continuously. This produces a
North pole at the head of the nail and a South pole at the tip.

Method 2: Electrical Method

A piece of steel is placed inside a coil of wire with many turns, carrying
a large DC . The steek becomes magnetised. The domains in the steel
become aligned and remain that way since steel is magnetically hard.
This is how permanently magnets are generally made.

A magnetically soft material, like iron, will have its domains easily
aligned by the coil carrying DC, but will just as easily loose its
magnetism when the power is switched off

Demagnetisation

Demagnetising involves the random disruption of the domains. This

can be achieved through repeated mechanical shocks, like dropping on a
hard surface.

This may also be achieved by heating the magnet and letting it cool in
an east-west direction. This is because the thermal vibrations lead to the
domains becoming randomly oriented

A magnet can be demagnetised by placing it inside a solenoid carrying

AC

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