Overview

Magnets are metals in which the magnetic fields are all aligned. This gives them properties that make them behave differently than other materials. These special properties are used frequently in a myriad of industries.

Why This Science Matters

While you may not notice it, you probably use devices or machines that use magnets everyday. Speakers are the most obvious example. They use magnets to produce their sound. Many scientific devices also use magnets. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses very powerful magnets to align hydrogen atoms in a patientÍs body. Through using RF signals, and measuring different quantities, scientists can create incredibly detailed pictures of a patients body. Superconducting magnets are used in high-energy particle accelerators. By using superconducting magnets, researchers can create incredibly strong magnetic fields, and keep their electricity bills down. Research is being conducted to create maglev trains that use magnets to float on air. They can achieve incredibly high speeds and smoothness. Understanding magnets more could lead to improved effectiveness of the aforementioned devices, and new uses altogether.

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Explore This Topic

The following questions accompany this lesson. The answers are given below each question. To reveal an answer, place the cursor over "REVEAL THE ANSWER".

1. You have two magnets. Each is pointing north. Both ends that are facing north are put next to each other. Will the magnets repel or attract each other?

2. Which pole, north or south, of the earth's internal magnet in actually pointing north? How do you know this?

3. What creates a magnetic field?

4. What is the charge in motion in an atom, and what type of motion is it?

5. Why does adding more loops to an electromagnet increase its strength?

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Links & Resources

Magnetism Web site created by High Tech High
Here you will find a video on magnetism, basic information about how magnets work, a brief history of magnets, uses of magnets, and some experiments.

Magnet Man: Cool Experiments with Magnets
Web site with many experiments and explanations of magnetism.

ElectroMagnetism
More advanced website on Electromagnetism.

Canada Science and Technology Museum: An Invisible Attraction
Web site with information on how magnets work, their uses, lesson plans, activities, and more links. For teachers.

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Lesson developed by the students of Theresa Gilly's 2001-2 chemistry class at High Tech High: Amanda Converse-Rath, Jay Fox, Scott Ritzma and Lin Tran.