• is the property of a magnet to attract iron and other magnetic
materials. • is a class of physical that are mediated by magnetic fields. • it is also the property associated with an electric charge in motion. • The polarity of a magnetic field that is generated by spinning is determined by the direction of the spin. • the number of electrons is determined by the direction of the spin. • the number of electrons spinning in one direction apporximately equals the number of those spinning in the opposite direction. • the materials are magnetically neutral and do not exhibit external characteristics. • when the magnetic effects of a large number of electrons within the atoms of a material are additive or added to each other the material exhibits external magnetic characteristics. • if the material is retained for a long period of time, the material becomes a permanent magnet. Two types of magnets: Natural and Artificial • Natural magnets- are iron ores that have the property to attract magnetic materials. These are found in materials in nature such as magnetite or lodestone. • Artificial magnets- are magnets made by man. They are either permanent or temporary. • Permanent magnets- can keep their magnetism for a long period of time. They are usually made of hard steel to retain more magnetism. • Temporary magnets- can keep their magnetism only for a short period of time. They are usually made of soft iron which can be easily magnetized and demagnetized. FUNDAMENTAL MAGNETIC PROPERTIES • Ferromagnetic materials- this type of materials become strongly magnetized in the same direction as the magnetizing field. Example of these materials are: cobakt nickel iron steel • Paramagnetic materials- this type of materials, which include aluminum, platinum, manganese and chromium, exhibit magnetism to a very slight degree, bu not enough to be useful. • Diamagnetic material- this type include bismuth, antimony, copper, zinc, mercury, gold and silver. These materials are slightly repelled by a magnet