Magnetism

By,
Padmavathi.K.N
Magnets have been known for
centuries.
The Chinese and Greeks knew about
the “magical” properties of magnets.
The ancient Greeks used a stone
substance called “magnetite.” They
discovered that the stone always
pointed in the same direction. Later,
stones of magnetite called “lodestones”
were used in navigation.
What is Magnetism?

Magnetism is the force of attraction or

repulsion of a magnetic material due to the
arrangement of its atoms, particularly its
electrons.
 Substances can be classified into two types:

1. Magnetic: Those which can attract or repel other

substances with specific properties.
They can be magnetized to show external
magnetism.
E.g.: Ferrous, cobalt, Nickel etc..

2. Non- Magnetic: Those which cannot show any

external magnetism or influenced by other
magnets.
E.g.: Saw dust, rubber, wood etc..
An unmagnetized iron bar looks like this with randomly arranged molecules

After magnetization the molecules arrange themselves with all north poles
facing towards one side and south towards the other.
In between molecules cancel each other’s effect while at the ends there are
only north or south poles which give rise to external magnetism.
Magnets have two ends or poles, called north and south
poles. At the poles of a magnet, the magnetic field lines
are closer together.

Unlike poles of magnets attract

each other and like poles of
magnets repel.
Poles of a magnet
always
Come in pairs!
 If you cut a magnet in half,

you get 2 magnets!

How to demagnetize a magnet:

1. Drop it

2. Heat it

This causes the

domains to become
random again!
The earth is like a giant magnet!
The nickel iron core of the earth gives the earth a
magnetic field much like a bar magnet.
William Gilbert, an English physician,
first proposed in 1600 that the earth
itself is a magnet, and he predicted that
the Earth would be found to have
magnetic poles.
A magnetic dipole
• Field lines run from the
North pole to the South
pole

• Field lines indicate the

direction of force that
would be experienced by
a North magnetic
monopole
A bar magnet

A simple bar magnet behaves

like a magnetic dipole
Schematic representation

• A magnetic dipole is
often represented
schematically as an
arrow.

• The head of the arrow is

the North pole.
 Geographic Length

1. The line joining the poles of the magnet S P M P

N
is called magnetic axis.
Magnetic Length
2. The distance between the poles of the
magnet is called magnetic length of the
magnet.

3. The distance between the ends of the magnet is called the geometrical
length of the magnet.

4. The ratio of magnetic length and geometrical length is nearly 0.84.

Magnetic Dipole & Dipole Moment:

A pair of magnetic poles of equal and opposite strengths separated by a
finite distance is called a magnetic dipole.
The magnitude of dipole moment is the product of the pole strength m and
the separation 2l between the poles.

Magnetic Dipole Moment is M = m.2l. l SI unit of pole strength is A.m

The direction of the dipole moment is from South pole to North Pole
along the axis of the magnet.
Magnetic Intensity or Magnetising force (H):
i) Magnetic Intensity at a point is the force experienced by a north pole
of unit pole strength placed at that point due to pole strength of the
given magnet. H=B/μ
ii) It is also defined as the magnetomotive force per unit length.
iii) It can also be defined as the degree or extent to which a magnetic
field can magnetise a substance.
iv) It can also be defined as the force experienced by a unit positive
charge flowing with unit velocity in a direction normal to the
magnetic field.
v) Its SI unit is ampere-turns per linear metre.
vi) Its cgs unit is oersted.

Magnetic Field Strength or Magnetic Field or Magnetic Induction

or Magnetic Flux Density (B):
i) Magnetic Flux Density is the number of magnetic lines of force
passing normally through a unit area of a substance. B = μ H
ii) Its SI unit is weber-m-2 or Tesla (T).
iii) Its cgs unit is gauss. 1 gauss = 10- 4 Tesla
Coulomb’s Law in Magnetism:
The force of attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is directly
proportional to the product of their pole strengths and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them.

r
F α m1 m2 m1 m2
α r2

k m1 m2 μ0 m1 m2
F= or F=
r2 4π r2

(where k = μ0 / 4π is a constant and μ0 = 4π x 10-7 T m A-1)

In vector form μ0 m1 m2 r
F=
4π r2

μ0 m1 m2 r
F=
4π r3
•A pictorial representation that gives the direction of the magnetic field at
various points in a magnetic field is called a map of the magnetic field
•Let us now map the magnetic field by using a compass
•Fix a sheet of paper on a drawing board
•Place a bar magnet on the sheet of paper
•Trace the boundary NS of the bar magnet
•Place a compass at the North Pole
•The magnetic needle comes to rest in a particular direction
•Mark the ends of the needle. The tail end of the needle is the south pole and
the tip of the needle is the north pole
•Now move the magnetic needle in such a way that its tail (south pole)
always points towards the north pole of the bar magnet
•Mark the new position of its north pole
•Repeat this until you reach the other end of the magnet

                                                                              
•  Join the points
• These points form a curve
• The curved line represents a magnetic field line or magnetic line of force
• Repeat the above procedure and draw as many lines as you can
                                                                                                                                        
                 
Magnetic Lines of Force of a Bar Magnet

North pole facing geographical north: P1 & P2 are null points. These are on the
Equatorial line.
Null Point: The point where the magnetism due
to the bar magnet is equal to the earths
magnetic force. Hence a these points we do not
have any lines of force.

South pole facing geographical north: P1 & p2 are null points. These are on the
axial line.
 Comparison of Dia, Para and Ferro Magnetic materials:
DIA PARA FERRO
1. Diamagnetic Paramagnetic substances Ferromagnetic substances
substances are those are those substances are those substances
substances which are which are feebly attracted which are strongly
feebly repelled by a by a magnet. attracted by a magnet.
magnet. Eg. Aluminium, Chromium, Eg. Iron, Cobalt, Nickel,
Eg. Antimony, Bismuth, Alkali and Alkaline earth Gadolinium, Dysprosium,
Copper, Gold, Silver, metals, Platinum, Oxygen, etc.
Quartz, Mercury, Alcohol, etc.
water, Hydrogen, Air,
Argon, etc.

2. When placed in The lines of force prefer to The lines of force tend to
magnetic field, the lines of pass through the crowd into the specimen.
force tend to avoid the substance rather than air.
substance.

N S
S N S N
2. When placed in non- When placed in non- When placed in non-
uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it
moves from stronger to moves from weaker to moves from weaker to
weaker field (feeble stronger field (feeble stronger field (strong
repulsion). attraction). attraction).

3. When a diamagnetic When a paramagnetic rod When a paramagnetic rod

rod is freely suspended in is freely suspended in a is freely suspended in a
a uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it
aligns itself in a direction aligns itself in a direction aligns itself in a direction
perpendicular to the field. parallel to the field. parallel to the field very
quickly.

N S N S N S
4. If diamagnetic liquid If paramagnetic liquid If ferromagnetic liquid
taken in a watch glass is taken in a watch glass is taken in a watch glass is
placed in uniform placed in uniform placed in uniform
magnetic field, it collects magnetic field, it collects magnetic field, it collects
away from the centre at the centre when the at the centre when the
when the magnetic poles magnetic poles are closer magnetic poles are closer
are closer and collects at and collects away from and collects away from
the centre when the the centre when the the centre when the
magnetic poles are magnetic poles are magnetic poles are
farther. farther. farther.
5. When a diamagnetic When a paramagnetic When a ferromagnetic
substance is placed in a substance is placed in a substance is placed in a
magnetic field, it is magnetic field, it is magnetic field, it is
weakly magnetised in the weakly magnetised in the strongly magnetised in
direction opposite to the direction of the inducing the direction of the
inducing field. field. inducing field.

6. Induced Dipole Induced Dipole Moment Induced Dipole Moment

Moment (M) is a small (M) is a small + ve value. (M) is a large + ve value.
– ve value.

7. Intensity of Intensity of Magnetisation Intensity of Magnetisation

Magnetisation (I) has a (I) has a small + ve value. (I) has a large + ve value.
small – ve value.

8. Magnetic permeability Magnetic permeability μ is Magnetic permeability μ is

μ is always less than more than unity. large i.e. much more than
unity. unity.
9. Magnetic susceptibility
Magnetic susceptibility cm Magnetic susceptibility cm
cm has a small – ve value. has a small + ve value. has a large + ve value.
What are magnetic domains?
Magnetic substances like iron, cobalt, and nickel are
composed of small areas where the groups of atoms are
aligned like the poles of a magnet. These regions are
called domains. All of the domains of a magnetic
substance tend to align themselves in the same direction
when placed in a magnetic field. These domains are
typically composed of billions of atoms.
Domain Theory
• Based on the electron spin principle.
• Atoms contain one or more orbital electrons.
• Electrons have angular momentum (spin).
• An electron has a magnetic field about it along
with an electric field.
• The effectiveness of the magnetic field of an
atom is determined by the number of electrons
spinning in each direction.
 Electron Spin
• If equal numbers of
electrons spin in
opposite directions, the
atom has no magnetic
qualities.
• If more electrons spin
in one direction than
another, the atom is
magnetized.
 Domain Accumulation.
• If a material is subjected
to an external magnetic
field, the domains will
align.
• More and more domains
join the domain as the
internal field
strengthens.
Queries?