Magnetism Introduction

All Textbook Topics - Magnetism - Magnetism Introduction

Can you name the magnetic materials? Do you know which poles of a magnet attract, and which poles repel? Explore the foundations of Magnetism and master these important concepts.

Textbook Learning Objectives
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1	The three most common magnetic materials are iron, nickel and cobalt
2	Magnetic materials are not always naturally magnetic, and must first be magnetised
3	Magnets have two poles, North(N) and South(S)
4	Similar magnetic poles repel (North-North or South-South)
5	Opposite magnetic poles attract (South-North)
6	Magnetised magnetic materials will have a magnetic field around them
7	A magnetic field is a region where a magnetic material will experience a force
8	Magnetic materials are magnetised by forcing small magnetic regions inside a magnetic material called domains to line up
9	An unmagnetised magnetic material will always attract to a magnet if one is brought near to it as the domains in the unmagnetised material line up when the magnet is brought near
10	Magnetic materials can be magnetised by stroking them with another magnet or by putting it inside an electromagnet
11	A magnet can be demagnetised by hitting it or heating it
12	Magnetic forces will increase in magnitude the closer two magnets are together, and decrease in magnitude the further apart they are