What Is Magnetism?<\/h2>\n
In layman\u2019s terms, magnetism is a force that can attract or repel magnetic materials<\/strong>. Magnetic fields that permeate different mediums mediate this force.<\/p>\n Magnetism is a property of certain materials by default. Some materials, though, can be magnetised or demagnetised depending on the requirements.<\/p>\n Like an electric current, magnetism is caused by electrons at the elementary level. Electrons have spin, which creates a tiny magnetic dipole.<\/p>\n When these spins are balanced, the net force is zero. But in the case of a large number of unpaired electrons, this infinitesimally small magnetic moment becomes large. As a result, it creates a noticeable magnetic field around the metal.<\/p>\n Electric current is also capable of creating magnetic fields and vice versa. When an electric current passes through a wire, it creates a circular magnetic field around the wire. Similarly, bringing a magnetic field near a good conductor of electricity, electric currents start flowing in the conductor.<\/p>\n This amazing relationship between electricity and magnetism has resulted in many ingenious devices and applications.<\/p>\n There are various classifications for magnets. One way to differentiate magnetic metals from each other is by how long their properties are active. Using this as our basis, we can classify magnets as:<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a deeper look at each of them.<\/p>\n Permanent magnets produce a magnetic field due to their internal structure. They do not lose their magnetism easily. Permanent magnets are made of ferromagnetic materials that do not stop producing their magnetic field regardless of external influence. Thus, they are stable against demagnetising forces.<\/p>\n To understand permanent magnets, we must look at the internal structure of magnetic materials. A material displays magnetic properties when its domains are aligned in the same direction<\/a>. Domains are the minuscule magnetic fields that are present in a material\u2019s crystalline structure.<\/p>\n In ferromagnetic materials, the domains are perfectly aligned. There are various ways to align them but the most reliable method is to heat the magnet to a certain temperature. This temperature is different for materials and results in the permanent alignment of domains in one direction.<\/p>\n Due to similar conditions within the earth’s core, it behaves like a permanent magnet.<\/p>\n Temporary magnets, as the name suggests, only retain their magnetic properties under certain conditions. When these conditions are no longer present, they lose their magnetic fields.<\/p>\n Soft materials with low magnetic properties, such as annealed iron and steel<\/a>, are examples of temporary magnets. They become magnetic in the presence of a strong magnetic field. They also portray low coercivity<\/a>.<\/p>\n You must have seen how paper clips get attached to each other when a permanent magnet is nearby. Every paper clip becomes a temporary magnet attracting other paper clips in the presence of a magnetic field. Once the permanent magnet is taken away, the paper clips lose their magnetic properties.<\/p>\n Electromagnets are magnets that produce magnetic fields when an electric current passes through them. They have various use cases. For example, motors, generators, relays, headphones, etc. all use electromagnets.<\/p>\n In electromagnets a coil of wire winds around a ferromagnetic core. Connecting the wire to a source of electricity produces a strong magnetic field. The ferromagnetic material further amplifies it. Electromagnets can be extremely strong depending on the electric current.<\/p>\n They also provide the ability to turn the magnetic force on and off with the press of a button. This is an extremely special property that helps us to use magnetic force in many applications.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take the example of a crane used to pick up scrap metal in a junkyard. With the help of an electromagnet, we can pick up scrap metal by passing an electric current through it. When we need to drop the pieces, all we have to do is turn off the electricity to the magnet.<\/p>\nWhat Creates Magnetism in Metals?<\/h3>\n
Types of Magnets<\/h2>\n
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Permanent Magnets<\/h3>\n
![\"Magnetic](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Earths-magnetic-field-e1691494070169.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTemporary Magnets<\/h3>\n
Electromagnets<\/h3>\n
![\"Electromagnet](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Electromagnet.jpg\")
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