Magnetism

Magnetism

9.1 Magnetic fields Key words

In this topic you will: compass
• describe a magnetic field like poles
• understand that magnetic fields surround magnets magnet
magnetic
• understand how magnetic fields interact
magnetic field
Getting started magnetic field lines
Work in pairs. Make a list of places where magnets
are used.
The magnetic field
A magnet is something that will attract magnetic materials.
Magnetic materials include the metals iron, steel, nickel and
cobalt. You will probably have used a magnet to attract The paperclips are made from
paperclips. steel, which is a magnetic material.

Magnets have two poles, north and south. They are shown
with the letters N and S on diagrams.
magnet paperclip
When a paperclip is close to one of the poles of a magnet,
the paperclip will be attracted to the magnet. As you move The paperclip is outside the magnetic field
the paperclip further away, it stops being attracted. of this magnet, so will not be attracted.

The paperclip is attracted to a magnet when it is in the

magnetic field of that magnet.
A magnetic field is the area around a magnet where the
effects of the magnet can be detected.
A magnetic field surrounds all magnets. The magnetic field
of a magnet is strongest at the poles.
• The materials which are attracted by the magnets called magnetic
materials
• The lines directed from north pole of magnet towards south pole
called magnetic field lines.
You can detect a magnetic field in two ways. You can see whether a
magnetic object moves because of attraction. You can also use a compass. A
compass contains a magnetised needle that is free to turn. The needle will
turn and point in the direction of a magnetic field. The picture shows a
compass. Some mobile devices such as phones have compass apps.

A compass can be used to detect a magnetic field.

Magnetic field lines
You can draw magnetic field lines around a magnet to represent
the magnetic field.
The rules are that
• magnetic field lines join opposite poles
• the magnetic field lines have arrows that point N S
• magnetic field lines must not touch each other
• magnetic field lines must not cross each other.

magnets-and-electromagnets_en.jar
• Following these rules, the magnetic field
lines around a bar magnet look like this:

• and the magnetic field lines around a

horseshoe magnet look like this:
You can tell by looking at magnetic field lines where
the magnetic field is strongest. The magnetic field is
strongest where the lines are closest together.
If one magnet is stronger than another, the magnetic
field of the stronger magnet will be different in two
ways.
• All the field lines will be closer together.
The five small compasses are
• The field lines will extend further away from the pointing in the direction of the
magnetic field lines.
magnet.
You can also tell, by looking at magnetic field lines, in
what direction a compass will point.
When it is in a magnetic field, a compass will point in
the direction of the lines.
Magnetic fields interacting
You probably already know about the forces between two
magnets.
• Two north poles repel.
• Two south poles repel.
• A north and a south pole attract.
This force is due to the magnetic fields from each magnet.
Look at the field lines between two magnets when their
opposite poles are together.
The magnetic field lines between the two magnets are all
pointing in the same direction. This means there will be a
force of attraction between the magnets.
Now look at the field lines between two magnets
when their like poles are together.
The magnetic field lines in the space directly between these two magnets
are all pointing in opposite directions. This means the magnets will repel,
or try to move away from each other.
Questions
1 Describe what is meant by the term ‘magnetic field’.
2 The magnetic field of magnet A extends further than the magnetic field of
magnet B. State what can be concluded about the strengths of these two
magnets.
3 Copy this diagram of a bar magnet.
Draw the magnetic field lines around your diagram.
Draw a total of eight lines and put arrows on each line.
4 a Draw magnetic field lines to show how a north and a
south pole attract.
b Draw magnetic field lines to show how two south poles repel.