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Magnetism

Magnetism describes the ability of magnets to attract (pull towards) and repel (push away) other magnets without touching them.

Attraction

Attraction

  • Magnets have a north pole (N) and south pole (S).
  • If two magnets are close enough to each other, then the south pole of one magnet will attract the north pole of the other magnet.
  • This is an example of a non-contact force.
Repulsion

Repulsion

  • If one magnet is turned so that both south poles (or both north poles) are close together, then the magnets will repel each other.
  • Opposite poles on a magnet attract and like poles on a magnet repel. This is an example of a non-contact force.
The poles of a magnet

The poles of a magnet

  • A magnet's poles are where the magnetic forces are strongest.
  • A bar magnet that is snapped in half, both halves will have a north and south pole.

Magnetic Materials

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are the only pure metals that can be turned into a magnet. These metals are “ferromagnets”.

Properties of ferromagnets

Properties of ferromagnets

  • Ferromagnets, like iron, don’t always act as magnets.
  • For example, a normal piece of iron won’t attract (pull) or repel (push) another piece of iron.
  • But ferromagnets are attracted to a magnet if they are close enough to the magnet.
Properties of ferromagnets

Properties of ferromagnets

  • Ferromagnets can be attracted by a magnet, but can’t be repelled by a magnet.
  • Only two magnets can repel each other.
  • Non-magnetic materials will never be attracted to magnets.
  • Permanent magnets are always magnetic, even when they are not near other magnets.
    • They produce their own magnetic field.
Jump to other topics
1

Space, Time & Motion

2

The Particulate Nature of Matter

3

Wave Behaviour

4

Fields

4.1

Circular Motion

4.2

Newton's Law of Gravitation

4.3

Fields

4.4

Fields at Work

4.5

Electric Fields

4.6

Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents

4.7

Heating Effect of Currents

4.8

Electromagnetic Induction

4.9

Power Generation & Transmission

4.10

Capacitance

5

Nuclear & Quantum Physics

6

Measurements

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