Magnet Notes

Magnet: any material that attracts iron, or any material containing iron

Magnetic Pole: one or two points such as the ends of a magnet, that have opposing magnetic qualities.

Magnetic Force: the force of attraction, or repulsion generated by moving or spinning electric charges

Vocabulary

The North and South poles of magnets◦ Tiny groups of atoms that can line up◦ In materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt

Domains

Ferromagnets: Naturally occurring magnet with domains that can be aligned.◦ Example: magnetite

Electromagnet: made by sending an electric current through a wire that is wrapped around an iron core.

Temporary Magnet: magnet that only holds its magnetic charge for a short time.◦ These magnets are usually made of soft iron

Refrigerator magnets Permanent Magnets: magnets that hold their

magnet charge for much longer periods of time

Types of Magnets

Earth is a giant magnet◦ The core is made of molten iron◦ Travelers have used a compass to help the find

their way for over 2000 years.

Using Magnets for Direction

Draw a Venn Diagram

Solenoid v. Electromagnet