Basics of Magnetism
Basics of Magnetism by Ron Kurtus (revised 29 January 2013)
Magnetism is a force of attraction or replusion that acts at a distance. It is due to a magnetic field, which is caused by moving electrically charged particles. It is also inherent in magnetic objects such as a magnet.
A magnet is an object that exhibits a strong magnetic field and will attract materials like iron to it. Magnets have two poles, called the north (N) and south (S) poles. Two magnets will be attacted by their opposite poles, and each will repel the like pole of the other magnet. Magnetism has many uses in modern life.
Questions you may have include: * What is a magnetic field? * What is a magnetic force? * What is the relationship between magnetism and electricity?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Magnetic field
A magnetic field consists of imaginary lines of flux coming from moving or spinning electrically charged particles. Examples include the spin of a proton and the motion of electrons through a wire in an electric circuit.
What a magnetic field actually consists of is somewhat of a mystery, but we do know it is a special property of space.
Magnetic field or lines of flux of a moving charged particle
Names of poles
The lines of magnetic flux flow from one end of the object to the other. By convention, we call one end of a magnetic object the N or North-seeking pole and the other the S or South-seeking pole, as related to the Earth's North and South magnetic poles. The magnetic flux is defined as moving from N to S.
Note: The Earth does not follow the magnetic configuration in the aboce illustration. Instead, the lines of flux are opposite from a moving charged particle.
Confusion About the North Magnetic Pole by Ron Kurtus (28 January 2013)
As you know, the N-end of a compass points toward the Earth's North Magnetic Pole and the N-pole of a bar magnet repels the N-end of a compass. However, designating the ends of a compass and bar magnet as N and S has brought about
Magnetism is a force of attraction or replusion that acts at a distance. It is due to a magnetic field, which is caused by moving electrically charged particles. It is also inherent in magnetic objects such as a magnet.
A magnet is an object that exhibits a strong magnetic field and will attract materials like iron to it. Magnets have two poles, called the north (N) and south (S) poles. Two magnets will be attacted by their opposite poles, and each will repel the like pole of the other magnet. Magnetism has many uses in modern life.
Questions you may have include: * What is a magnetic field? * What is a magnetic force? * What is the relationship between magnetism and electricity?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Magnetic field
A magnetic field consists of imaginary lines of flux coming from moving or spinning electrically charged particles. Examples include the spin of a proton and the motion of electrons through a wire in an electric circuit.
What a magnetic field actually consists of is somewhat of a mystery, but we do know it is a special property of space.
Magnetic field or lines of flux of a moving charged particle
Names of poles
The lines of magnetic flux flow from one end of the object to the other. By convention, we call one end of a magnetic object the N or North-seeking pole and the other the S or South-seeking pole, as related to the Earth's North and South magnetic poles. The magnetic flux is defined as moving from N to S.
Note: The Earth does not follow the magnetic configuration in the aboce illustration. Instead, the lines of flux are opposite from a moving charged particle.
Confusion About the North Magnetic Pole by Ron Kurtus (28 January 2013)
As you know, the N-end of a compass points toward the Earth's North Magnetic Pole and the N-pole of a bar magnet repels the N-end of a compass. However, designating the ends of a compass and bar magnet as N and S has brought about