MAGNETISM

What is a Magnet?
A magnet is an object that is able to attract or repel another magnet. It has a magnetic field
around it. This magnetic field gives the object its magnetic properties.

Properties of a Magnet
1. Magnets have two opposite poles, the North pole ‘N’ and the South pole ‘S’. A pole is a
region where the strength of a magnet is concentrated.

2. A Magnet has a magnetic field around it.

3. Magnets attract strongly only certain materials such as iron, steel, nickel and cobalt,
which are called ferro-magnetics.

4. If a magnet is suspended so that it can swing in a horizontal plane, it comes to rest with
the north-seeking or N pole, always pointing roughly towards the Earth’s north pole.
This property makes a magnet to be used as a compass.

5. When the Like poles of magnets are brought near each other, repulsion occurs and when
unlike poles are brought together, attraction takes place.

The Law of Magnets

Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.

Note: The force between magnetic poles decreases as their separation increases.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 1

THE DOMAIN THEORY OF MAGNETISM

Magnets consists of small magnetic groups called magnetic domains. Domains have a common
magnetic axis. Domains comprise smaller sub-atomic magnets (molecular magnets) called
dipoles. Dipoles in a particular domain point towards a common direction.

In an un-magnetized crystal the directions of these dipoles are different hence their resultant
magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field, the atomic magnets rotate and eventually
all dipoles face the same direction. When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized, we say it is saturated. This means that the magnetism of the
material cannot be increased by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 2

Magnets and non-magnetic materials
Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets while non-magnetic ones are
those that are not affected by magnets.
Examples of magnetic substances are Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel, while wood, glass and
copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.
Substances that are strongly attracted by magnets i.e. iron, steel, nickel, cobalt are called
ferromagnetic materials.

Induced magnetism.

Induced magnetism is a phenomenon where a magnet induces temporary magnetic powers in an

unmagnetized material. This occurs when a magnet is placed near or touch the material. The
magnetic field of a magnet comes into contact with an unmagnetized material thereby inducing
the magnetism.

Chains of small iron nails and steel paper clips can be hung from a magnet as shown in the figure
below. Each nail or clip magnetizes the one below it and the unlike poles so formed attract. If the
iron chain is removed by pulling the top nail away from the magnet, the chain collapses, showing
magnetism induced in iron is temporary. When the same is done with the steel chain, it does
not collapse; magnetism induced in steel is permanent.

*Induced Magnetism (Magnetic induction)

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 3

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

(a) Magnetizing by stroking method – the object to be magnetized is placed on a bench then a
bar magnet is dragged along the length of the bar from one end to the other. This is repeated
several times and the object becomes magnetized. This method is known as single-stroke
method.

(b) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of magnetic effect of an electric
current through a solenoid (insulated wire of many turns). A direct current ( d.c.) is used.

When current passes through the coil, magnetic fields are produced and move in one direction.
The magnetic fields line up all the dipoles in a material in one direction, hence a material becomes
magnetised. This happens within a short period of time. Once the material is magnetised, it
becomes saturated, so keeping it inside a solenoid for a long time does not make a magnet stronger.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 4

Demagnetization ( destroying a magment )
Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a magnet.
The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;
a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction
b) Heating them strongly.
c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an alternating current ( a.c.) through it for a
short time, as shown below

When an a.c. current is made to pass through a solenoid and at the same time a magnet is being
pulled out, demagnetizes the magnet. The alternating magnetic fields produced by a.c. current
disarrange the dipoles inside the magnet therefore losing its magnetism.

Magnetic field lines.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field (force) is observed or
experienced. The diagram below shows magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 5

Plotting of magnetic field lines.

A magnetic compass is used to plot magnetic fields around a bar magnet. A plotting compass is a
small pivoted magnet in a glass case with non-magnetic metal walls. The diagram below shows a
magnetic plotting compass.

How to plot the fields

Lay a bar magnet on a sheet of paper. Place the plotting compass at a point such as A, as shown
in the figure below, near one pole of the magnet.

Mark the position of the poles (n, s) of the compass by pencil dots B, A. Move the compass so
that pole s is exactly over B, mark the new position of n by dot C. Continue this process until the
other pole of the bar magnet is reached ( the S pole). Join the dots to give one line of force and
show its direction by putting an arrow on it. Plot other lines by starting at different points round
the magnet. A typical field pattern produced is shown in Figure below;

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 6

Examples of field patterns

The combined field due to two neighbouring magnets can also be plotted to give patterns like
those in the figure above. In part a, where two like poles are facing each other, 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.

Repulsion

Attraction

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 7

Magnetic properties of iron and steel

The magnetic properties of iron are high susceptibility and low retentivity. It means that it is easier
to magnetize but also loses magnetism easily. The properties of steel are the opposite of iron. Such
materials are knowns soft magnetic materials. Soft magnetic materials are therefore; materials
that are easily magnetized, but dot not keep their magnetism for a long time. Another example of
soft magnetic material besides iron is Mumetal (alloy of nickel and iron ).
Uses of soft magnetic materials
- used for making temporal magnets.
- used for making the cores of electromagnets and transformers because their magnetic effect can
be switched on and off easily.
The Properties of steel are the opposite of iron. They do not lose their magnetism easily once
magnetized. Steel materials are therefore; referred to as hard magnetic materials. Hard magnetic
materials are materials that are difficult to magnetize but once magnetized do not easily lose their
magnetism. Another example of hard magnetic material besides steel is Alcomax ( alloys of
aluminum, nickel and cobalt with iron ).
Uses of Hard magnetic materials
- used to make permanent magnets.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to each other attached to pieces
of soft iron called keepers. The diagram below shows magnetic keepers

Magnetic keepers help to prevent the loss of magnetic strength. So Magnets stay strong for a
long time in magnetic keepers.
*Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them lose their magnetism.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 8

Magnetic screening (magnetic shielding )

Magnetic shielding is the process of preventing the unwanted interference of magnetic field lines
on equipment. The diagram below shows magnetic shielding;

The purpose is most often to prevent magnetic fields from interfering with electrical devices.
The materials used in magnetic shielding must have a high permeability, it is important that they
themselves do not develop permanent magnetization. The most effective shielding materials
available are iron and mumetal.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 9

HOME WORK

NSTS Science1 (physics) notes prepared by BM 10