Magnets with Magics
At first, magnets are the same as other common materials and have no attractions. Yet, after a unique process, they become “attractive,” with extraordinary magic to attract all magnetic materials. How did this happen? Let’s find it out.
Magnets are magnetized through a process called magnetic induction, during which the magnetic domains within a material align in a specific direction, creating a net magnetic field. There are several methods to magnetize materials, but two common approaches are:
- Contact with a Strong External Magnetic Field:
- In this method, a ferromagnetic material, such as iron or steel, is exposed to a strong external magnetic field.
- The external magnetic field aligns the magnetic domains within the material. Magnetic domains are small regions in a material where atomic magnets are aligned in a specific direction.
- As the external magnetic field is applied, the magnetic domains gradually align in the same direction, creating a stronger and more organized magnetic field within the material.
- Once the material is removed from the external field, it retains some degree of magnetization due to the aligned domains.
- Electromagnetic Coil Method:
- In this method, a coil of wire carrying an electric current is wound around the material to be magnetized.
- The electric current generates a magnetic field around the coil, and the material placed inside the coil is exposed to this magnetic field.
- Similar to the first method, the magnetic domains within the material align along the direction of the magnetic field generated by the coil.
- This method is often used in industrial settings, where large quantities of magnetic material must be magnetized efficiently.
It’s important to note that not all materials can be easily magnetized. Materials that are suitable for magnetization are typically ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic, meaning they have magnetic properties due to the alignment of magnetic moments within the material.
Additionally, the strength and characteristics of a magnet depend on factors such as the type of material used (Neodymium magnets or Samarium Cobalt magnets), the strength of the external magnetic field, and the duration of exposure to the magnetic field.