MAGNETISM

• By the end of this topic, the learner should

be able to:
a) describe the properties and uses of
magnets;
b) identify magnetic and non-magnetic
materials;
c) state the basic law of magnetism;
d) describe patterns of magnetic field;
d) describe methods of magnetization
and demagnetization;
e) explain magnetization and
demagnetization using the domain
theory;
f) construct a simple compass.
CONTENT

a) Magnets: properties and uses.

b) Magnetic and non-magnetic
materials.
c) Basic law of magnetism.
d) Magnetic field patterns .
e) Magnetization and demagnetization
f) Domain theory of magnetism.
g) Care of magnets.
h) Construction of a simple magnetic
compass.
 Magnetism
• The ability of a magnet to attract
some material and repel others.
 Types of magnets
• Magnets are categorized as either
permanent or temporary.
• The following permanent magnets are
known depending on their shapes.
a) Bar magnets.
b) Ring magnets.
c) Horse-shoe magnet.
d) U-shaped magnet.
The bar magnet
The Ring magnet
The U-shaped Magnet
The Horse-Shoe Magnet
 Properties of magnets
• Some of the properties include:
a) Attractive property.
b) Directive property.
c) Poles property.
d) Magnetic strength property.
• Attractive property.
A magnet attracts magnetic
substances like nickel,iron,steel and
cobalt.
• Directive property
• A freely suspended magnet
always aligns itself in the north-
south direction.
• Poles exist in pairs
If a magnet is broken into two parts from
the middle, then each part is found to be a
magnet.
• Magnetic strength property.
The power of attraction and repulsion
of a magnet is greatest at the poles.
 Magnetic and Non-magnetic
Materials
• Materials that are attracted by a magnet are
called magnetic material.
• Some of these materials are:
a) Iron
b) Steel
c) Nickel
d) Cobalt
• They are mostly iron and its alloys.
• Non –magnetic materials that are not
attracted by a magnet.
• They include:
a) Glass
b) Wood.
c) Rubber.
d) Plastics.
 Basic Laws of Magnetism
• This law states:
Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.
• Repulsion occurs if N pole of a magnet is
brought near N pole of a suspended
magnet.
• Same applies with south pole and south
pole of a magnet,
 Test for Polarity of a Magnet
• Polarity of any magnet may be tested by
bringing poles in turns to a suspended
magnet near to the known poles of a
suspended magnet.
• Repulsion indicates similar polarity.
• Repulsion is the surest test. why?
This is because attraction occurs between
the unlike poles of a magnetic and
between any pole of a magnet and a
magnetic material.
 The magnetic Field
• The region or space around a magnet
where the magnetic influence is felt.
• The magnetic field is represented by the
magnetic lines of force.
Direction of Magnetic Field(flux)
• The direction of a magnetic field at a
point is defined as the direction which a
free North pole would move if placed at
that point in the field.
• This can be determined using a plotting
compass
Properties of Magnetic Field Lines
• The figure below can be used to
describes these properties.
a) They originate from North pole and end
in South pole.
b) They repel each other sideways.
c) They are closer where the field is
strongest.
d) They do not intersect with other
magnetic lines of force.
 The Magnetic Field Patterns
• Some of the patterns include:
a) by the bar magnet.
b) by the horse-shoe magnet.
c) between two unlike poles.
d) between the two like poles.
e) Effect of soft iron –ring.
• Field of a bar magnet.
• Field by the Horse – shoe magnet
• Between two unlike poles
• By like poles.
The repulsion force causes a neutral point X
between the poles. At this point the net
magnetic field(force) is zero.
 Effects of soft-Iron ring and rod
• The soft iron ring concentrates the
magnetic lines of force.
• Prevents lines from entering region P
• The soft iron rod and ring can be used in
magnetic shielding / screening of measuring
instruments and watches where magnetic
fields are not desired.
 The Earth Magnetic field
• The north pole of suspended magnet points in
the geographical north of the earth.
 Domain Theory of magnetism
• It is also known as molecular theory of
magnetism.
• According to this theory, a magnetic
materials such as iron have small
molecular magnets inside.
• These magnets are called dipoles
• These small magnets are contained in tiny
‘cells’ called domains.
• Within each domain all the molecular
magnets point in the same direction.
• The molecular magnets points in
different directions in an unmagnetised
magnetic material.
• This explains why when a magnet is
broken into pieces; each piece retains
magnetism with north and south poles.
Dipoles in domain Arrangements
Magnetized Arrangement
SUMMARY
• NB: during magnetic process, the
domains are aligned; made to face in
common direction.
• Magnetic saturation: a state where all
domains are aligned in one direction.
• At this point magnetism is maximum.
 Magnetisation
• This is the process of making a magnet from a
magnetic material.
• It aligns domains in a magnetic material.
• Some of the methods of magnetization are:
a) induction.
b) stroking .
c) hammering
d) electrical method.
 Induction method
• This is the method of making temporary
magnet.
• The fig. below shows pins magnetized by
induction method.
• The end of the pin in contact with the magnet
acquires polarity opposite to the pole of the
magnet.
• In (b) the ends acquire similar polarity hence
repels.
• In ( C) the end of the pins have south polarity
hence repels south pole of a magnet
 Stroking
• A steel magnet is stroked severally by a strong
permanent magnet.
• This can be:
a) Single sroke
b) Double stroke.
 Single stroke
• One magnet is used.
• The dipoles align themselves in the axis
of the magnetizing force.
• In the above case A-north pole B- south
pole.
• The end where the magnet finishes
stroking acquire opposite polarity to that
of the stroking magnet.
• This method produces the magnet with
one pole nearer the end of the magnetized
material than the other.
 Double stroke
• Two magnets are used.
• From the figure ends A acquires North
pole and B acquires South pole.
• This method can produce a magnet with
similar polarity.
 Hammering(mechanical)
method
• It involves hammering a steel bar in a
Earth magnetic field.
 Electrical method
• This method uses the magnetic effects of
electric current in aligning the dipoles in
a magnetic material.
• The d.c current is passed through a
solenoid containing a magnetic material.
Magnetizing by electrical method
• The polarity of A and B can be
determined using two rules:
a) Clock rule.
b) The right hand grip rule.
 Clock rule.
• If on viewing the solenoid from one end
of the bar, the current flows in
clockwiSe direction, that the polarity of
that end is south. If aNticlockwise then
North pole.
 The right hand grip rule.
• If a coil carrying current is grasped in
the right hand such that the fingers
points in the direction of current in the
coil, then the thumb points in the
direction of north pole.
• The right- hand grip rule.
 Demagnetization
• Process of destroying/distorting a magnet.
• This is achieved by de-
aligning(disorienting) of magnetic dipoles.
• Some of the methods of demagnetization
are:
a) Hammering and heating
b) Electrical method.
 Hammering and Heating
• This method disorients magnetic dipoles
when placed in E-W direction.
• They are generally known as mechanical
method.
 Electrical method.
• The a.c current is used in the solenoid
placed in the E-W direction.
• Since this current reverses periodically, it
disorients the magnetic dipoles.
• Demagnetizing using electrical method
 Hard and soft magnetic materials
• Materials are easily magnetised but do
not retain their magnetism are called soft
magnetic materials.
• They include:
a) Soft iron
b) Alloy of nickel and iron
• These materials can also be magnetised
by weak magnetic fields.
• Soft magnetic materials are used for making
temporary magnets
• They used in electromagnets, transformer
cores and in magnet shielding.
• Hard magnetic material are difficult to be
magnetised but retains magnetism for a longer
time once magnetised.
• They include steel.
• They are used for making permanent magnets.
 Storing Magnets
• Magnets undergo self demagnetisation if not
stored properly.
• This is usually caused by poles at the end
upsetting the alignment of dipoles inside he
domains.
• Magnets are stored in pairs with soft iron
keepers placed across their ends.
• Unlike poles of the magnets are placed
adjacent.
• The keepers acquire opposite polarities by
induction as shown.
• The dipoles in these keepers and the magnets
form complete loops making dipoles to retain
their orientations hence magnetism is retained.,
 Applications of Magnets
• Loud speakers
• They convert electrical signals into
sound.
• Magnets in the speakers provide
permanent magnetic fields used in this
conversion.
• Microphones
• They convert sound waves(energy) into
electric signal.
• Permanent magnets provides magnetic
field in this process.
• In computer hard disks/recording and reading
heads/video tapes.
• Data in computer disks are stored in form of
magnetic patterns in the process of encoding
and decoding.
• In medicine
• Used by doctors in simple extraction
of metal particle from the patients
body e.g. eyes.
• Used in magnetic resonance imaging
which gives more details of the
internal organs than x-rays
Images of MRI Machines
• Magnets are used in magnetic therapy where
they are used to relief pain.
• Sorting/separating
• Used in separating magnetic and non
magnetic materials.
• Applies in recovering metallic substances
from sand and ocean
• Magnetic screw drivers.
• Technicians use the magnetic screw
drivers in lifting the screws and placing
them where they are supposed to be in the
repair works