Magnetic fields are invisible forces that exert a magnetic force on magnetism-sensitive substances. They are created by electric currents and have many properties used in scientific research, medicine, and everyday life. Magnetic fields vary in strength and type, with examples including the Earth’s magnetic field and those created by electromagnets.
A magnetic field is an invisible field that exerts a magnetic force on magnetism-sensitive substances. A classic example of one is the field created by an iron magnet; To see how energy works in such a field, a small magnet can be placed under a piece of paper and iron filings sprinkled on top of it. As the filings respond to the magnetic field, they slowly orient themselves along an axis. Larger examples include the Earth’s magnetic field and those created by other celestial bodies such as stars and planets.
Many people think of magnetism as a property of metal, especially iron, since common household magnets are made of iron. Electric currents are actually the force behind magnetic fields, which form when electric charges move. On a large scale like an electromagnet, the field is created by passing current through wires. In the case of a home magnet, it is created by the motions of electrons in their orbits. Depending on the material and environmental factors, the field strength may vary.
Magnetic fields have many properties that scientists and others have used over the centuries. While underway, ships can orient themselves with the assistance of the Earth’s magnetic field, which is, incidentally, located at several degrees from the geographic poles. In scientific research, these fields can be used to gather information about a place or object; geologists, for example, use instruments called magnetometers to measure environmental magnetism to learn more about the underlying rock and mineral materials.
Medicine uses it in things like diagnostic machines like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. In this case, the field is accurately generated and controlled by the machine operator for the purpose of gathering information about the human body. In alternative medicine, some healers use magnets to achieve various desired effects. Scientists can also use other tools to create or alter magnetic fields in order to learn more about the Earth.
The strength of magnetic fields varies widely. An MRI machine, for example, can pull the keys out of an unknowing doctor’s pocket, while a household magnet can be slammed off the refrigerator door with little effort. There are also many different types of magnetic fields; an iron magnet, for example, exhibits ferromagnetism, while those created with the use of an external current are known as electromagnetic fields.
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