Magnet: Properties, Types & Uses

A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field around it. A magnet attracts ferromagnetic materials due to the magnetic field. A magnet has a pair of magnetic poles – north pole and south pole – that cannot be separated. 

• Like poles repel each other whereas opposite poles attract each other.   
• Magnets can be defined as materials that are magnetized.
• Magnetism is a force created by the movement of charged particles like protons and electrons.
• When particles align, the positive charges are grouped together, and the negative charges are grouped together.
• The three types of magnets are permanent magnets, temporary magnets, and electromagnets.

Key Terms: Magnetism, Magnetic Field, Repel, Electromagnet, Electromagnetism, Magnetism, Iron, Electric Current, Copper, Temporary Magnet, Permanent Magnet

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What is a Magnet?

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A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field around it. It attracts unlike poles and repels like poles. 

• Magnetic is either permanent or electrically made.
• With its power of producing magnetic fields, a magnet can attract ferromagnetic materials like iron. 
• The magnetic force produced by magnets between the two magnets is always greater with less distance between these magnets.

Magnet

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Properties Of Magnet

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The distinguished properties of magnets are:

• The magnets that attract ferromagnetic materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt. When a magnet is dipped in iron filings, the iron filings cling to the magnet ends as the attraction is maximum there. These ends of the magnet are known as the poles of magnets.
• The like magnetic poles repel each other and the unlike magnetic poles attract each other.
• If any magnet is suspended from rigid support such that it can rotate freely, then the magnet always points in the north-south direction. Pole that points towards the geographic north is the North Pole and the pole pointing towards the geographic south is the South Pole.
• Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. When a magnet is cut into two pieces then both the pieces of the magnet will have the north pole and the south pole respectively.
• The magnetic force between two magnets is greater when the distance between them is less.

Also Read: Poles Of Magnet

Bar Magnet

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Types Of Magnet

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There are three types of magnets:

Electromagnet

Electromagnets have a coil of wire that is wrapped around the metal core made from iron. When an electric current is applied to this wrapped material, the magnetic field generates and the material behaves like a magnet. It shows the property of a magnet. Controlling the electric current controls the strength of the magnetic field.

Also Read: Difference between Electromagnets & Permanent Magnets

Permanent Magnet

Permanent magnets are the magnets that are used commonly. They are called permanent magnets as they do not lose their magnetic property once they become magnetized.

A permanent magnet is demagnetized by:

• Exposing permanent magnets to extreme temperatures.
• Hammering the magnet loosens the magnetic attraction between its atoms.
• Stroking one magnet with the other in an inappropriate manner.

The four types of permanent magnets are:

• Alnico
• Samarium Cobalt (SmCo)
• Ceramic or ferrite
• Neodymium Iron Boron (NIB)

Temporary Magnet

A temporary magnet is magnetized when a magnetic field is present. When the magnetic field is removed, the temporary magnet loses its magnetic property. Examples of temporary magnets are Iron nails and paper clips.

Also Read: Metals & Non-Metals

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Characteristics of Magnet

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The characteristics of a magnet are:

• Attractive property: Magnetic strength of magnets at the ends of the poles is strong.
• Directive property: Directive property helps to determine the north and south poles of a magnet.
• Pair property: When a magnet is cut into 2 pieces, both pieces will again have the North Pole and the South Pole.
• Law of magnetic poles: Like poles repel while unlike poles attract each other.
• Sure test of magnetization: The magnetization test is conducted to check if a given rod is magnetized or not by checking the attraction or repulsion of the magnet and iron rod.

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Uses Of Magnets

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The uses of magnets are:

• Magnets are used for constructing magnetic needles and the mariner’s compass.
• Permanent magnets are utilized in generators and in electric accelerators.
• Permanent magnets are also required in electric motors.
• Electromagnets are used in speakers and electric bells.
• Electric cranes have electromagnets.
• Magnets are used for the separation of iron filling from other solid mixtures.

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Things To Remember

• The magnetic poles always exist in pairs.
• Permanent magnets are commonly used. 
• The strength of the magnetic field is controllable.
• Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
• Magnets attract ferromagnets.