Magnetism

Is the study of magnets and their magnetic field or ability of a magnet to attract pieces of metals such as ; cobalt ,
nickel , steel , iron

Properties of a magnet

-can be used to make a plotting compass ; a suspended bar magnet swings freely and comes to rest along Geographic
North South direction.

-has two magnetic poles ; north and south

-attracts ferromagnetic materials such as iron , nickel and cobalt

-magnetic forces are stronger at the poles

-like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other

Magnetic materials : materials attracted to a magnet. Examples ; cobalt , iron , steel , nickel and compounds with
these metals

Non magnetic materials : materials that are not attracted to a magnet.Examples ; paper , copper , aluminium ,
magnesium etc

Induced magnetism

A process in which an unmagnetised magnetic material gains magnetism when it is put near or touches the
(permanent )magnet.

The concept can be demonstrated using the following equipment

permanent magnet

The first unmagnetized magnetic material in contact with the magnet gains magnetism

from the permanent magnet and becomes a magnet.The second unmagnetised magnetic

material gains magnetism when it touches the magnetized magnetic material and it also

becomes a magnet.The third unmagnetised magnetic material also gains magnetism when

it touches the second magnetized magnetic material and these magnetized magnetic

materials form a long chain.

NB: If the unmagnetised magnetic materials used are made of iron , the chain collapses immediately when the first
one detaches from the ( permanent) magnet. If it is steel the chain takes time for it to dismantle( or takes time for
the magnetized magnetic materials to separate)

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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Magnetization : a process whereby a magnetic material gains magnetism or becomes magnetized.

Methods of magnetization

(a)electrical

A magnetic material is placed inside a solenoid connected to direct current power supply.As direct
current flows in the solenoid magnetism or magnetic field is induced and its magnetic forces magnetise
the magnetic material.

How to predict the induced poles on the ends of the magnet

The use of Right hand grip rule for solenoids ; 4 fingers point in the direction of the flowing conventional
direct current and the thumb points the direction of magnetic force( always away from north pole and
towards south pole)

Factors affecting strength of an electromagnet

 Number of turns or windings ; the larger the number of windings , the stronger the
electromagnet
 Size of direct current ; increase in size of direct current causes increase in strength of magnetic
field in an electromagnet or strength of electromagnet
 Type of magnetic material used as a core ; the use of a soft magnetic material causes increase in
the strength of an electromagnet

Uses of an electromagnet

 Electric bell
 D.C motor
 D.C generator
 Transformer
 Relay switch
 Circuit breaker

NB: Principle of operation of an electric bell , relay switch and circuit breaker to be discussed here(use
the diagrams)

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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(b)Stroking method
(i)single stroking/touch
- move one pole of a magnet along the magnetic material (e .g iron or steel rod) from end to
end (same direction) several times ; the magnetic forces from the magnet magnetise the
magnetic material.
- lift the pole of the magnet away at one end and move the same pole towards the other end of
the magnetic material (and repeat the movement several times and always in one direction).

(ii) Double touch (Divided touch)

- move opposite poles of two magnets from the middle in opposite directions outwards to the
ends at the same time several times.
The method produces a stronger magnet than the one formed from single touch.

How to predict the poles induced on the ends of the magnet

The poles induced on the ends are such that they oppose the one that was stroking the
magnetic material; opposition meaning counteracting movement of the pole of the permanent
magnet.

e.g
Path of the moving magnet
N
Which pole is induced at end A and B?

Answer: A is north and B is south

A B

Demagnetisation : a process whereby a magnet loses magnetism turns into a magnetic

material.

Methods of demagnetization

(a)electrical

A bar magnet is placed inside a solenoid through which is connected to A.C (alternating
current) power supply.As alternating current flows in the solenoid a changing magnetic field is
induced whose magnetic forces demagnetize the magnet or causes disalignment (make them
point in different directions) in the small atomic magnets called magnetic dipoles. The bar is
then withdrawn slowly from the solenoid whilst the current is still on to a distance of 2 to 5 m.

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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(b)Heating : increase in temperature causes vigorous vibrations which in turn causes
disalignment in the small atomic magnets or demagnetizes the magnet.

(c)Hitting or hammering : hammering causes vigorous vibrations in the atoms which in turn
demagnetize the magnet or causes disalignment in the small atomic magnets.

Magnetic field : an area or region around a magnet where the magnetic forces can be detected
by another magnet or magnetic material.

Methods of detecting magnetic field

(a)use of iron fillings
- place a sheet of paper over the magnet. Sprinkle iron filings onto the paper and tap the paper
a bit. The iron fillings form smooth curved lines around the magnet in the direction of the
magnetic (lines of) forces.
Limitation of the method
It does not show the direction of the magnetic forces
(b) plotting compass:- place the bar magnet on a sheet of paper and draw its outline.
-draw a dot near edge of one pole of the magnet on the paper.
-move the compass so that its crescent (the south pole) encloses the first dot and make another
dot at the tip of the arrow(north pole).
-repeat the previous step until the compass reaches the other end of the magnet
-join all the dots to form a smooth single line from one end of the magnet to the other and
indicate direction on it.

Magnetic field pattern

NB: Direction of magnetic force is always away from north and towards south. The magnetic
field lines never cross each other and always touch the edge(the outline on the paper) of the
magnet.

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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Interpretation

Narrowly spaced magnetic field lines show an area with a stronger magnetic field /
magnetism/force and widely spaced show an area with a weaker magnetic
field/magnetism/force

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF

IRON STEEL
Is a soft magnetic i.e can be magnetized easily is a hard magnetic i.e difficult to magnetise
Keeps magnetism for a shorter period of time Keeps magnetism for a longer period of time
Is used to make an electromagnet Is used to make permanent magnets

Uses of permanent magnets

D.C electric motors, bicycle dynamos, generators, loudspeakers, electricity meters,

microphones , refrigerator doors and door catches.

Uses of magnetic materials

Electric motor , SIM cards , ATM cards , transformer , magnets , electric generators etc

Magnetic saturation : -a state where an increase in applied external magnetic field or force can
no longer cause an increase in the strength of magnetism or magnetic field in a magnetic
material.

Magnetic screening or shielding :-is whereby the external magnetic field in a space is reduced
by blocking or preventing it with a soft magnetic material. E.g shielding cages of a cellphone
chip to isolate it from external magnetic field and instruments used in mineral or oil surveying.

Magnetic shielding is put to practical use when used to protect delicate measuring instruments
which could be affected by magnetic fields by enclosing them in thick-walled soft-iron boxes.

Not to be duplicated without mr Fani’s permission – cell no. 74463142

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