Magnets and Magnetic fields

Cambridge IGCSE Physics

1. Magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
2. Properties of magnets
3. Distinguish between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
4. Distinguish between the design and use of permanent magnets and
electromagnets
5. Methods of magnetisation and demagnetisation.
6. Magnetic fields and magnetic field lines around a bar magnet
7. Mapping of magnetic fields
8. Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic
fields
What is magnetism?
"Charge" is a fundamental property of fundamental particles like
electrons. A charged particle produces an electric field around it.
Magnetism
A moving (rotating / spinning) charge produce a magnetic field.
Magnetism
Atoms are the building blocks of matter in the universe. An atom
consists of protons, neutrons and electrons. Electrons are orbiting
around the nucleus. The movement of electrons in an atom produces a
magnetic field at the center.
Magnetism
An atom consists of several electrons. Usually, the magnetic field
produced by an electron cancelled by the magnetic field of another
electron and the net magnetic field of an atom is zero. Due to an odd
number of electrons, if this cancellation is not happening, the atom
possesses a net magnetic field.
 Magnetic & Non magnetic materials
Atoms or molecules of magnetic materials are small
magnets
 Magnetic material vs Magnet
( Arrangement of magnetic domains)
Properties of magnets
1. A magnet possesses a north pole and a south pole.
2. If we cut a magnet into pieces, each piece becomes a magnet.
3. A magnet attracts magnetic material like iron. In the presence of a
permanent magnet, small magnetic domains align with the magnetic field
of the permanent magnet.
 Temporary magnet vs Permanent magnet
In temporary magnets, magnetic domains align with the magnetic field
of the external magnetic field but lose the alignment as soon as the
external magnetic field removed.

In permanent magnets, magnetic domains remain aligned even if the

external magnetic field removed.

Soft iron is used to make temporary magnets & hard iron (steel) is used
to make permanent magnets.
 How to make a permanent magnet?
To make permanent magnet, we use steel (hard iron) or alloys of iron, nickel
and cobalt.

The stroke of the magnet actually helps to orient the tiny atomic magnets
inside it. After repeated stroking it finally leads to a permanent orientation. 
Making permanent magnet using DC current.

To make a permanent magnet,

place hard iron inside a solenoid
carrying direct current. The flow of
electrons ( rotation of the
electrons) around the core)
produce a magnetic field along
the axis of the coil. Magnetic
domains inside the hard iron align
with this external magnetic field.
 Making temporary magnet
To make a temporary magnet, place soft iron inside a solenoid
carrying direct current. The flow of electrons ( rotation of electrons)
around the core) produce a magnetic field along the axis of the coil.
Magnetic domains inside the hard iron align with this external magnetic
field. The magnetism remains as long as there is current in the coil.
 Demagnetization of magnets
1. Dropping or heating a magnet causes demagnetisation.
2. Hammering a magnetic material in a magnetic field causes magnetisation
but in the absence of a field it causes demagnetisation.
3. Solenoids can be used to magnetise and demagnetise magnetic materials.
4. Direct current is used to magnetise soft iron. To demagnetise a magnet,
place the magnet inside a solenoid carrying AC current.
Magnetic fields & Magnetic field lines
Magnetic field is a region around a magnetic material or a moving electric
charge within which the force of magnetism acts. Magnetic field lines are
imaginary lines around a magnet which shows direction of movement of a
unit north pole when placed in a magnetic field.
Mapping of magnetic fields
What you’ll need:
• A bar magnet
• A piece of white paper
• A pencil or pen
• A compass
What you’ll do:
Place the bar magnet in the middle of the paper.
Trace the outline of the magnet – that way you
can put it back in the exact same spot if it gets
bumped.
Place the compass at one pole of the magnet
and make a dot next to it showing the direction
the compass arrow points.
Move the compass so that the base of the arrow
is at the dot you've just made. Now make a new
mark where the tip of the arrow is pointing this
time.
Keep doing this until you reach the other end of
the magnet.
Connect the dots. You've just drawn one
magnetic field line!
• Go back and begin again, starting at a
different spot than you did the first
time. Repeat the above steps.
• Repeat the process until you have
drawn as many lines as you can for both
ends of the magnet. You will now have
an accurate representation of magnetic
field lines.
• Different magnets will give you different
field lines. Try repeating these steps
with magnets of different sizes and
shapes.
Field lines due to two neighbouring magnets.
The point X is called a neutral point. At X the field due to one magnet cancels out that due
to the other and there are no lines of force.
Earth’s magnetic field
Earth consists of a solid crust, a solid mantle, a molten outer core,
and a solid inner core. The outer core is made up of a mixture of
molten iron and nickel. Extreme temperature and rotation of
earth causes the the molten outer core to flow. This flow or
current of outer core is responsible for the magnetic field of
earth.
Near the equator, magnetic field
lines are parallel to the surface of
the earth and a freely suspending
bar magnet align along the north-
south direction of the earth.