Magnets attract iron-containing objects and are used for various purposes. A magnetic field is created by moving charges, and a magnet has two poles, north and south. The Earth has a natural magnetic field, and there are different types of magnets: permanent, temporary, and electromagnetic.
Magnets have magnetic fields that attract iron-containing objects. For example, some of the substances attracted to magnets include iron, nickel and steel. Magnets are used for a variety of purposes, ranging from attaching objects to refrigerator doors and creating compasses to providing fast roller coaster rides and converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. They are also used in some toys.
Understanding how magnets work means understanding the dynamics of a magnetic field. Consider the space surrounding a magnet. This space is occupied by a magnetic force and is called a magnetic field. If a magnet is placed within this field, it will be acted upon by magnetic forces.
A magnetic field is created as a result of moving charges. A good example of this is electric current flowing through a wire. When this happens, there are negatively charged subatomic particles, called electrons, moving through the wire. When these charges move, a magnetic field forms around the wire. Similarly, the magnetic field of a magnet is created by the movement of electrons.
The magnetic field of a magnet attracts or repels certain metals, as well as other magnets. A magnet has two ends called poles. One pole is called north and the other is referred to as south. To draw the magnets towards each other, you have to place the opposite ends of two magnets close to each other. Placing the similar ends of two magnets close to each other causes the opposite to occur; the two magnets repel each other.
Interestingly, the Earth has a natural magnetic field at its core. If you take a look at a compass, you’ll notice that one side is marked “N” and faces the Earth’s north magnetic pole. As such, this part of the compass is referred to as the North Seek Pole. However, the Earth’s magnetic north pole should not be confused with its north pole. The North Pole is hundreds of miles away from the North Research Pole.
While most people are familiar with simple refrigerator magnets, there are many other types of magnets. They are classified as permanent, temporary and electromagnetic. Permanent magnets retain their magnetic properties for a long time while temporary magnets lose their magnetism more quickly. An electromagnet, on the other hand, is one that is created using electricity. Its strength can be altered based on the electric current that can pass through it.
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