HOW DO MAGNETS WORK?

Resource Center » How Do Magnets Work?

Magnets are used in many everyday products. Temporary magnets, permanent magnets, and electromagnets are all commonly-used types, and many current technological advances would not be possible without magnets.

Lodestone is a form of a hard iron that contains a mineral called magnetite, and it is the strongest naturally-occurring magnet. Magnets can be produced by placing iron or steel in the presence of a strong magnetic field. Permanent magnets, temporary magnets, and electromagnets are all made with the assistance of a strong magnetic field, but each of these magnets has its own unique properties.

Temporary magnets are used in electric motors, telephones, and a few other electrical products. Certain iron alloys and soft iron can be used to make temporary magnets. Iron alloys that contain iron and nickel can be magnetized in a fairly weak magnetic field.

Permanent magnets can be made from an alloy of iron, cobalt, nickel, and an aluminum called alnico. Alnico has a flexibility that allows it to be used in unusually-shaped magnets. Ferrites, which are brittle and inexpensive ceramic materials, are also used to make permanent magnets. Ferrites are mostly used in electronic components like radio antennas. Ticonal magnets are also considered permanent; they are made from titanium, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, and iron. Ticonal magnets were created by Philips for use in loudspeakers.

An electromagnet is often a coiled wire called a solenoid. An electromagnet is only a magnet when an electrical current passes through the wire and creates a magnetic field, and it is strongest and most effective when the wire is wrapped around a soft magnetic iron material (like an iron nail). Electromagnets are used in electric motors, particle accelerators, and medical MRI devices. Older television screens and computer monitors use cathode ray tubes containing electromagnets that disperse electrons on the screen to create images. Hospitals and other medical facilities also use equipment with cathode ray tubes.

Magnets have many everyday uses. Credit cards have magnetic stripes with cardholders' names and account information encoded on it. Video, voice, and data recording can be done on magnetic media such as cassette tapes, computer hard disks, and computer floppy disks. An electrical motor uses an electromagnet and a permanent magnet to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. A generator does the opposite by using a magnetic field to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. A compass uses a free moving magnetized pointer to point itself toward the earth’s magnetic field.

A common legend about the discovery of magnets mentions a Greek shepherd named Magnes who lived in Magnesia approximately four-thousand years ago. The legend claims that Magnes' shoes became firmly stuck to a rock after he stood on it. This is because his shoes contained iron nails and had a metal tip, and the rock itself contained the magnetic mineral that is now called magnetite.

Magnetism is a naturally-occurring phenomenon that has been harnessed in order to perform many daily tasks. Many people learn about magnets in school and are intrigued my them.

How To Guides
How a pen works and why the ink cartridge makes all the difference in the world
How are adhesive sticky note pads and cubes made/printed?
How are golf balls made?
How are golf umbrellas made?
How are paper cubes made/printed?
How are pens printed?
How are stress balls made?
How come different monitors display colors differently?
How did the frisbee get its name?
How do magnets work?
How does a mood color changing pencil, pen, or mug actually work?
How does an LED flashlight work?
How does embroidery work?
How does laser engraving work and why is the engravement the color it is?
How does the emulsion process work?
How is a sports bottle made?
How is denim made?
How much caffeine is in a typical cup of coffee?
How much water should a person drink in a day?
How to add your advertising/commercials to YouTube
How to collect postcards
How to measure and/or determine your hat size
How to properly wash your favorite baseball cap
How to read and properly use a ruler
How to read and properly use a tape measure
How to remove stickers without leaving all that sticky residue behind
Porcelain mugs and ceramic mugs? When should each be used/considered?
The different types of plastics and their number classifications (codes)
What are magnets made of?
What causes the waves that appear in some plastic (drinkware) items?
What is a deboss/emboss and how does it work?
What is digital sublimation?
What is a USB hub and how does it work?
What is ergonomics and what makes a product ergonomical?
What is neoprene? Why is it better than foam?
What is the difference between #2 lead and the rest?
Why do golf balls have those funny indentations?

Quality Logo Products, Inc. is your number one source for stress balls and promotional items.

Quality Logo Products, Inc. • 724 North Highland Avenue • Aurora, Illinois 60506
For assistance, email us at info@qualitylogoproducts.com or call 1-866-312-5646 • Monday - Friday.