Magnets

PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

Section 1: What Is Magnetism?

• What causes magnetism?

Any moving charge creates a magnetic field around it, and this is the
reason that there is a magnetic field around a current carrying wire.
However, the source of the magnetic fields generated by materials
like permanent magnets, which have no current flowing within them,
is due to a property of the particles within the material (their ‘magnetic
moment’), as well as the motion of electrons within the atoms. Usually
these cancel out, but in some materials they can align to produce an
overall magnetic field.

• Suggested Film
A permanent magnet is a piece of metal that
- What Are Magnets? possesses a magnetic field

Extension Questions
Q1. What units are used to measure magnetism?
There are various units used to measure magnetism. The strength of a magnetic field is usually measured in tesla;
a tesla is a large unit. The Earth’s magnetic field is a few hundred thousandths of a tesla and very powerful magnets
would have fields of a few tesla. Gauss is an older, smaller unit that is sometimes used; 1 tesla is equal to
10,000 gauss.

Q2. What is a magnetic monopole?

Each magnet always has a north and south pole. It is not possible to isolate one pole. Cutting the magnet in half to
separate the poles would result in two magnets, each with a north and south pole. A particle with only one magnetic
pole is known as a magnetic monopole. Despite decades of searching, no magnetic monopoles have ever been
detected but they are predicted to exist. It is intended that one of the experiments at the Large Hadron Collider will
search for evidence of magnetic monopoles.

• What are the different types of magnetism?

Some materials respond to a magnetic field, and we are used to seeing this when some metals, like iron, are attracted
to magnets. However, this is only one form of magnetism, ferromagnetism; materials can also be paramagnetic or
diamagnetic.

Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted by magnetic fields and can retain their magnetic properties even after the
field is removed. For this reason permanent magnets are made from ferromagnetic materials. Iron, nickel and cobalt are
ferromagnetic.

Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted by magnetic fields. This effect is usually so weak that it is not noticeable.
After the magnetic field is removed paramagnetic material does not retain its magnetic properties.

Diamagnetic materials are repelled by magnetic fields, but the effect is usually very weak. Superconductors can be
strongly diamagnetic and this means they can be levitated above powerful magnets.

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Extension Questions
Q3. What is a domain?
Within a ferromagnetic material there are regions where the atoms have their magnetic moments aligned in the same
direction. However, each of these regions aligns in a different direction and so the material has no overall magnetic
field. These regions are known as domains and a strong magnetic field can cause these domains to align. If the
domains stay aligned, even after the magnetic field is switched off, the material will become a ‘permanent’ magnet.
Striking or heating the material can cause the domains to align randomly again, demagnetising the material.

Q4. What is the Curie temperature?

If ferromagnetic materials, like iron, are heated above a certain temperature they lose their magnetism. This is known
as the Curie temperature, and for iron is around 770°C. If the material is allowed to cool below the Curie temperature
it will again be attracted by magnetic fields.

• How do electromagnets work?

Any moving charge will generate a magnetic field. For current flowing
in wires these are generally very weak unless the current is very large.
However, a larger magnetic field can be produced by winding the wire
into a coil. In an electromagnet this can be further increased by adding
a core of ferromagnetic material such as iron. Electromagnets are useful
as the strength of the field can be controlled by increasing or decreasing
the current in the wire or changing the number of turns and, unlike
permanent magnets, can be switched on and off. Electromagnets have
many applications, including in motors, loudspeakers and powered door
locks, such as those used in the central locking systems of cars.

The magnetic field of a simple electromagnet Powerful electromagnets can be made by using superconducting wire.
This allows very large currents to be used as superconductors have no
• Suggested Film resistance and so large currents do not cause heating. Unfortunately
- What Are Electromagnets? superconductors only work at very low temperatures.

Extension Question
Q5. How are magnets used in particle accelerators?
Electromagnets are often used in particle accelerators. The magnetic field they create is used to make particles
follow a curved path. Beams of particles can also be focused using special configurations of electromagnets called
quadrupoles. These use two north poles and two south poles, which are arranged around the beam so that each pole
is directly across from a similar pole. This produces a magnetic field which increases the further the particles are from
the centre of the arrangement, and means the particles are pushed into the centre, focusing the beam.

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

Section 2: Applications of Magnetism

• How are magnets used in electricity generation?

Electricity is generated by moving an electrical conductor

through a magnetic field. In a power station, steam or DIAGRAM 01:
water is used to turn large turbines and drive generators.
These move wires next to magnets (or move magnets
next to wires) and the changing magnetic fields cause
the electrons in the wires to move, generating electrical
currents. In power stations, which use fossil fuels, the coal,
oil or gas is burned and the heat is used to boil water.
This produces steam to turn the turbine. Similarly, nuclear
power stations use the heat generated by the nuclear fuel
in the reactor to boil water to produce steam. Hydropower
uses water to turn turbines.

• Suggested Film
- How Do Generators Work?

• What is magnetic resonance imaging?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets to image the human body. It relies on protons in the water
molecules within body tissue aligning with a strong magnetic field. When the field is switched off the protons return to their
original state, and the energy released when this happens can be detected and used to produce images of tissue inside
the body.

Unlike other scans, MRI does not use X-rays and so the patient is not exposed to radiation. However, care has to be
taken to check that the patient does not have metal in their body, which could move and cause injury during scanning, or
medical implants which could be affected by the magnetic fields.

• Suggested Film
Extension Question - MRI
Q6. What is a SQUID?
Very weak magnetic fields can be measured using a SQUID (a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device). A
SQUID measures the flow of current through a circuit containing two structures known as Josephson junctions (which
are made of two superconductors separated by a thin insulator), and the current through this circuit can be affected
by magnetic fields. SQUIDs can measure magnetic fields of only a few millionths of a trillionth of a tesla and can be
used to measure the very weak magnetic signals due to electrical currents in the brain. It is possible that in the future
SQUIDS may be used to build smaller, cheaper MRI machines which use weaker magnetic fields.

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Extension Question
Q7. Is blood magnetic?
Blood contains iron so it often assumed that blood is magnetic. In fact, the iron in blood exists as part of a long
molecule, haemoglobin, and in this form it is not ferromagnetic and so magnets do not influence blood flow.

• How does magnetic levitation work?

Materials which are diamagnetic are repelled by magnetic

DIAGRAM 02: fields and so can be made to levitate above magnets, as
long as the force of the repulsion is greater that the weight
of the object. This is hard to achieve without very powerful
magnets or materials which are very strongly diamagnetic.
Superconductors are extremely diamagnetic and so can
be levitated above magnets relatively easily.

Some trains use magnetic levitation. The train is

suspended above the track, which reduces friction and
allows it to reach very high speeds. There are two ways
to achieve this. In ElectroDynamic Suspension (EDS)
superconductors are placed on the train and these are
repelled by electromagnets in the track. Alternatively, in
ElectroMagnetic Suspension (EMS), electromagnets can
be used in an arrangement where part of the train reaches
around and under the track. Electromagnets on this part
are attracted to coils on the underside of the track. This
pulls the train upwards, lifting it off the track.

• Suggested Film The Shinkansen bullet train can reach

- Maglev Trains top speeds of 443km/h

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

Section 3: The Earth’s Magnetic Field

• What causes the Earth’s magnetic field?

The Earth has a magnetic field which protects us from the solar wind, a
stream of charged particles which emanate from the Sun. It is caused by
the flow of molten iron in the Earth’s outer core. The Earth’s magnetic field
lets us navigate using a compass, a small magnet which is free to move
and so will orient itself in the direction of the field. The end of the magnet,
which points north, is called the north pole. However, as opposite poles
attract, this means that the magnetic pole which is found in the north is
actually the south pole of the Earth’s magnetic field.

The Earth’s magnetic field is caused by the

Extension Questions flow of molten iron in the outer core

Q8. Do other planets have magnetic fields?

Many of the other planets in the Solar System have a magnetic field. Mars doesn’t, presumably because the required
movement in its molten core has ceased. At one point in the past Mars did have a magnetic field, and the reasons it
has now been lost are not well understood.

The Moon has almost no magnetic field. The very weak magnetic field it does have appears to be due to rocks in its
crust which have become magnetised. It is possible that the Moon did have a magnetic field early in its history when
currents were still flowing in its core.

Q9. What are the Northern Lights?

As charged particles from the Sun reach the Earth they interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. As this magnetic
field accelerates the particles, they collide with molecules in the air and excite them. These molecules then emit light
and this can cause spectacular light displays in the night sky. These are usually only visible in the far north, where
they are known as the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, and in the far south, where they are known as the Aurora
Australis. Similar effects have been observed on other planets and moons in our Solar System.

Q10. How does a compass work?

A compass contains a magnet which is allowed to turn and align with an external magnetic field. This is done by
supporting the magnet at its centre while still allowing it to rotate. The magnet will align with the Earth’s field and, as
this is directed from north to south, this will give an indication of the direction of north and south. The north pole of the
magnet will point to the Earth’s north magnetic pole.

A simple compass containing a magnet supported at its centre could be difficult to read. This is because as the
magnet moves it could overshoot the correct position before being pulled back. It would then pass the correct position
again and this oscillation could continue for some time. For this reason, compasses are often filled with a liquid like
water, which reduces the oscillations and causes the magnet to settle far more quickly.

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

• What is magnetic pole reversal?

The Earth’s magnetic poles move slowly

over time and only stay in one orientation Extension Questions
for a few hundred thousand years. The last
Q11. What is archaeomagnetic dating?
reversal took place almost 800,000 years
ago and it is almost impossible to predict The age of some artefacts can be determined using our knowledge of
when the next will occur, as the periods the Earth’s magnetic field. When magnetic materials are heated the
between reversals typically last a few overall alignment of the particles within is lost. When this happens the
hundred thousand years but have been particles can realign with any external magnetic field which is present,
known to last much longer. The time taken including the Earth’s magnetic field. If the material is then allowed to
for the change to complete may also vary cool this alignment will be ‘frozen’ and remain as a record of the Earth’s
from a few years to 10,000 years. It is not magnetic field at the time it was heated.
clear what the effects of a pole reversal
would be but it is clear that life of Earth The way the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field has changed over
has survived many reversals in time is known. This means that the age of artefacts which have been
the past. heated, such as bricks which have been used in hearths, can be found
by measuring the direction of the magnetic field within the material and
• Suggested Film finding the time at which the Earth’s magnetic field was aligned in
- Earth’s Wandering Poles this direction.

• What are magnetic dip and magnetic declination?

When using a compass it is important to know that the

North Pole is not in the same place as the north magnetic
pole. For this reason, magnetic north is not the same as
DIAGRAM 03:
true north. In fact, these can differ by several degrees.
This is known as the magnetic declination and is often
stated on maps to prevent navigational errors.

In addition to this, the Earth’s magnetic field is not parallel

to the Earth’s surface and points upwards in the southern
hemisphere and downwards in the northern hemisphere.
The magnetic dip (or magnetic inclination) refers to the
angle of the Earth’s magnetic field relative to the ground.

Compasses align themselves to the Earth’s magnetic field

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

• Quizzes

What Are Magnets?

Basic Advanced

• Which of these cannot be used to make a permanent • Which of these is an advantage of electromagnets?
magnet?

A – cobalt A – they can be switched on and off

B – nickel B – they can be made of any material
C – copper C – their magnetism lasts longer
D – iron D – the number of poles the magnet has
can be controlled

• How many poles does a magnet have?

• Which of the following uses magnetic fields to
A–1 image the human body?
B–2
A – CRT
C–3
B – PET
D–4
C – MRI
D – thermography
• What do like poles do?

A – repel • Why does the Earth have a magnetic field?

B – attract
A – it has a solid iron core
C – there is no effect
B – it is electrically charged
D – it depends on the type of poles
C – it has a liquid iron core
D – it has a large gravitational field
• Which of these do not use magnets?

A – machines which pick up metal in • How does a compass work?

scrap yards
B – compasses A – it aligns with the Earth’s magnetic
field
C – loudspeakers
B – it contains a magnet with only
D – kettles one pole
C – it aligns with the direction of the
Earth’s rotation
D – it contains metal which is electrically
charged

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

What Are Electromagnets?

Basic Advanced

• Which of these do not use magnets? • How is an electromagnet created?

A – car starters A – the junction between two metals

is heated
B – compasses
B – current is passed through a coil
C – loudspeakers of wire
D – kettles C – two charged plates are separated by
a small gap
D – a piece of metal is heated in the
• Which of these is an advantage of electromagnets? presence of a magnetic field

A – they can be switched on and off

• What shape is the magnetic field around a wire?
B – they can be made of any material
C – their magnetism lasts longer A – it is directed along the wire

D – the number of poles the magnet has B – it points out from the wire
can be controlled C – it is circular
D – it is continuously changing

• Which of these does not make an electromagnet

stronger?

A – adding an iron core

B – switching the magnet on and off
continuously
C – adding more coils of wire
D – increasing the current

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

• Answers

What Are Magnets?

Basic Advanced

• Which of these cannot be used to make a permanent • Which of these is an advantage of electromagnets?
magnet?

A – cobalt A – they can be switched on and off

B – nickel B – they can be made of any material
C – copper C – their magnetism lasts longer
D – iron D – the number of poles the magnet has
can be controlled

• How many poles does a magnet have?

• Which of the following uses magnetic fields to
A–1 image the human body?
B–2
A – CRT
C–3
B – PET
D–4
C – MRI
D – thermography
• What do like poles do?

A – repel • Why does the Earth have a magnetic field?

B – attract
A – it has a solid iron core
C – there is no effect
B – it is electrically charged
D – it depends on the type of poles
C – it has a liquid iron core
D – it has a large gravitational field
• Which of these do not use magnets?

A – machines which pick up metal in • How does a compass work?

scrap yards
B – compasses A – it aligns with the Earth’s magnetic
field
C – loudspeakers
B – it contains a magnet with only
D – kettles one pole
C – it aligns with the direction of the
Earth’s rotation
D – it contains metal which is electrically
charged

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 PHYSICS • ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS • MAGNETS

What Are Electromagnets?

Basic Advanced

• Which of these do not use magnets? • How is an electromagnet created?

A – car starters A – the junction between two metals

is heated
B – compasses
B – current is passed through a coil
C – loudspeakers of wire
D – kettles C – two charged plates are separated by
a small gap
D – a piece of metal is heated in the
• Which of these is an advantage of electromagnets? presence of a magnetic field

A – they can be switched on and off

• What shape is the magnetic field around a wire?
B – they can be made of any material
C – their magnetism lasts longer A – it is directed along the wire

D – the number of poles the magnet has B – it points out from the wire
can be controlled C – it is circular
D – it is continuously changing

• Which of these does not make an electromagnet

stronger?

A – adding an iron core

B – switching the magnet on and off
continuously
C – adding more coils of wire
D – increasing the current

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