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Magnet - Definition, Types, Properties, Applications, FAQs

Magnet - Definition, Types, Properties, Applications, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:08 PM IST

Have you ever used a fridge magnet to attach a note or picture at your home? This small object is an example of a Magnet. A magnet is an object that has a ability to attract certain types of metals for example iron, nickel, and cobalt. It generates a magnetic force which appears in the form of a magnetic field around the generator. It is used in different simple items such as speakers and electric motors. Now let's look at the concept of magnet in detail.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is Magnet?
  2. Types of Magnet
  3. Temporary Magnet
  4. Properties of magnet
  5. Applications of Magnet
Magnet - Definition, Types, Properties, Applications, FAQs
Magnet - Definition, Types, Properties, Applications, FAQs

What is Magnet?

A force that attracts or repels other ferromagnetic materials including iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, and others is called as a Magnet.
In other words, a magnet is any material that can attract iron and produce a magnetic field outside of itself.

When the magnet is withdrawn, the magnetism fades. Iron, nickel, and cobalt are the only three elements with ferromagnetic characteristics.

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Types of Magnet

The following are the three different types of magnets:

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Permanent magnet

The most commonly used magnets are permanent magnets. They're termed permanent magnets because they don't lose their magnetic properties once they've been magnetized.

Examples of Permanent magnets are Compass Needles, Loudspeakers and Earphones, and Electric Generators and Motors.

Permanent magnets are further divided into four categories:

  • Ceramic or ferrite
  • Alnico
  • Samarium Cobalt (SmCo)
  • Neodymium Iron Boron (NIB)

Temporary Magnet

In the presence of a magnetic field, temporary magnets can be magnetized. These materials lose their magnetic properties of magnet when the magnetic field is removed.

Examples of temporary magnets include things like iron nails and paper clips.

Electromagnet

Electromagnets are formed out of a coil of wire that is coiled around a metal core made of iron. When this material is exposed to an electric current, it generates a magnetic field, which causes it to behave like a magnet. Controlling the electric current can change the strength of the magnetic field.

Examples of electromagnets are Electric bells, Speakers and Headphones, Relays and Switches, MRI Machines, and Magnetic cranes.

Properties of magnet

We already know that magnets are constructed of magnetic material. Magnets have a number of unique characteristics. They are as follows:

  1. Magnets are attracted to ferromagnetic materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel.
  2. Magnetic poles with similar magnetic poles repel one other, while magnetic poles with opposite magnetic poles attract each other.
  3. Magnet aligns itself along the north-south direction when it is suspended freely.
  4. When the distance between the two magnets is smaller, the magnetic force between them is larger.
  5. Every magnet has two poles: North and South. It cannot be separated.
  6. A magnet creates an invisible field around it, called the magnetic field, where its force can be observed.
  7. Magnetic force is strongest at the poles and weakest at the center of the magnet.

Applications of Magnet

Magnets can be used in various fields in daily life, medical purposes, and scientific research as well. Some of the common applications of magnets are given below:

  1. Refrigerator magnets
  2. Speakers and Microphones
  3. MRI Machines
  4. Magnetic Separators
  5. Magnetic Locks
  6. Magnetometers
  7. Magnetic Toys

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. A bar magnet's poles are not indicated. What method will you use to determine its poles?

We'll use another bar magnet with known poles to figure out the poles. One of the poles of the provided magnet will be brought close to the magnet's north pole. The south pole is attracted if it attracts. It will be the North Pole if it repels.

2. You are given two metal bars that are identical. One of the two objects is a magnet.

Suggestions for two techniques to identify the magnet are welcome.Both are dangling in mid-air. Bring a magnet next to both metal bars and test with both poles to see if they line in the north-south direction. A magnet is someone who repels others.

3. Permanent magnets are formed of what?

Permanent magnets are now made of special alloys developed through research in order to generate ever-better magnets. The most common families of permanent magnet materials used today include aluminum-nickel-cobalt (alnicos), strontium-iron (ferrites, also known as ceramics), neodymium-iron-boron (a.k.a. neodymium magnets, or "super magnets"), and samarium-cobalt. (The samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron families are examples of rare-earth elements.)

4. What is the definition of a temporary magnet?

Even in a weak field, soft iron and certain iron alloys, such as permalloy (an iron-nickel alloy), can be magnetised relatively quickly. The magnetism, on the other hand, is lost as soon as the field is withdrawn. Temporary magnets, such as those used in telephones and electric motors, are made from these materials.

5. What are electromagnets and how do they work?

When extremely powerful magnets are required, electromagnets are used. Electromagnets are made by enclosing a metal core (typically an iron alloy) within a coil of wire carrying an electric current. A magnetic field is created by the electricity in the coil. The electromagnet's strength is determined by the electric current's strength and the number of wire coils. Its polarity is determined by the current flow direction. The core acts as a magnet while the current is flowing, but when the current stops, the magnetic qualities are lost. Electromagnets are used in electric motors, televisions, maglev trains, telephones, computers, and many other modern gadgets.

6. What is hysteresis in magnetism?
Hysteresis in magnetism refers to the lag in response of a magnetic material to changes in an applied magnetic field. When a magnetic field is applied and then removed, the material doesn't return to its original magnetic state immediately. This property is important in many applications, including data storage in hard drives.
7. How do Earth's magnetic field and a bar magnet's field differ?
While both Earth's magnetic field and a bar magnet's field have north and south poles, they differ in shape and origin. Earth's field is generated by the movement of molten iron in the planet's outer core and extends far into space. A bar magnet's field is localized and produced by aligned magnetic domains within the material. Earth's magnetic north is actually near its geographic south, while a bar magnet's north pole points north.
8. How does temperature affect magnetism?
Temperature affects magnetism by influencing the alignment of magnetic domains within a material. As temperature increases, thermal energy causes more random motion of atoms, disrupting the alignment of magnetic domains. This can lead to a decrease in magnetic strength. At a specific temperature called the Curie point, ferromagnetic materials lose their magnetic properties entirely.
9. How do magnets interact with non-magnetic materials?
Magnets can interact with non-magnetic materials in several ways:
10. What is magnetic saturation?
Magnetic saturation occurs when increasing the external magnetizing field (H) no longer increases the magnetization of the material. At this point, all magnetic domains are aligned, and the material has reached its maximum magnetic flux density. Further increases in H will produce only minor increases in B. This concept is important in the design of transformers and other magnetic devices.
11. What are the different types of magnets?
There are four main types of magnets:
12. What is the difference between ferromagnetism, paramagnetism, and diamagnetism?
These are different types of magnetic behavior in materials:
13. How do electromagnets differ from permanent magnets?
Electromagnets differ from permanent magnets in several ways:
14. What is the difference between hard and soft magnetic materials?
Hard and soft magnetic materials differ in their magnetic properties:
15. What is the relationship between electricity and magnetism?
Electricity and magnetism are closely related and are often described together as electromagnetism. Key relationships include:
16. What is a magnet?
A magnet is a material that produces a magnetic field, which is an invisible force that attracts or repels other magnetic materials. Magnets have two poles: north and south, and they can attract or repel other magnets based on the orientation of these poles.
17. How do magnets work?
Magnets work through the alignment of magnetic domains within the material. These domains consist of groups of atoms with their magnetic fields aligned in the same direction. When enough domains align, the material becomes magnetized and produces an external magnetic field that can interact with other magnetic materials.
18. Why do magnets have two poles?
Magnets have two poles because of the fundamental nature of magnetism. The magnetic field lines always form closed loops, emerging from one end (north pole) and entering the other end (south pole). This dipole nature is a result of the alignment of magnetic domains within the material.
19. Can a magnet have only one pole?
No, a magnet cannot have only one pole. This is known as the monopole problem in physics. Even if you cut a magnet in half, each piece will still have both a north and south pole. The search for magnetic monopoles is an ongoing area of research in theoretical physics.
20. What is magnetic flux?
Magnetic flux is a measure of the total magnetic field passing through a given area. It is calculated by multiplying the magnetic field strength by the area it passes through, taking into account the angle between the field and the surface. The SI unit of magnetic flux is the weber (Wb).
21. What is spintronics and how does it relate to magnetism?
Spintronics (spin electronics) is a field that exploits the spin of electrons in addition to their charge:
22. How do magnetic fields affect the properties of light?
Magnetic fields can influence light in several ways:
23. What is magnetic permeability?
Magnetic permeability is a measure of how easily a material can be magnetized in response to an applied magnetic field. It's the ratio of the magnetic flux density (B) to the magnetizing force (H) in the material. Materials with high permeability, like iron, are easily magnetized and often used in electromagnets and transformers.
24. How do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines use magnets?
MRI machines use powerful magnets to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. The process involves:
25. What is magnetic levitation and how does it work?
Magnetic levitation (maglev) is the suspension of an object using magnetic fields, often to eliminate friction. It works by:
26. How do compasses work?
Compasses work by utilizing Earth's magnetic field:
27. How do magnetic strips on credit cards work?
Magnetic strips on credit cards store information using tiny iron-based magnetic particles:
28. What is magnetic anisotropy?
Magnetic anisotropy refers to the directional dependence of a material's magnetic properties. In some materials, it's easier to magnetize along certain crystal axes than others. This property is crucial in the design of permanent magnets and magnetic storage devices, as it affects the stability and strength of magnetization.
29. How do magnetic domains form in materials?
Magnetic domains form in materials due to the balance between several energy contributions:
30. What is the Hall effect and how is it related to magnetism?
The Hall effect is the production of a voltage difference across an electrical conductor when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the current flow. It occurs because the magnetic field exerts a force on moving charges, pushing them to one side of the conductor. This effect is used in sensors to measure magnetic fields and in some types of electric motors.
31. How do animals use Earth's magnetic field for navigation?
Some animals use Earth's magnetic field for navigation through a process called magnetoreception. Proposed mechanisms include:
32. What is magnetic shielding and how does it work?
Magnetic shielding is the practice of reducing magnetic fields in a specific area. It works by:
33. How do magnetic materials behave at the nanoscale?
At the nanoscale, magnetic materials can exhibit unique behaviors:
34. What is the magnetocaloric effect?
The magnetocaloric effect is the change in temperature of a material when exposed to a changing magnetic field. It occurs due to the coupling between the material's magnetic moments and its crystal lattice. This effect is being researched for applications in magnetic refrigeration, which could be more energy-efficient than conventional cooling methods.
35. How do magnetic fields affect plasmas?
Magnetic fields strongly influence the behavior of plasmas (ionized gases):
36. What is magnetic reconnection?
Magnetic reconnection is a process where magnetic field lines from different magnetic domains are spliced to one another, changing the field topology. It occurs when oppositely directed magnetic field lines come together and realign. This process:
37. How do magnetic materials behave in extreme conditions?
Magnetic materials can exhibit interesting behaviors under extreme conditions:
38. What is spin ice and how does it relate to magnetism?
Spin ice is a type of magnetic material with a frustrated lattice structure:
39. How do magnetic fields interact with superconductors?
Superconductors exhibit unique behaviors in magnetic fields:
40. How do magnetic fields affect chemical reactions?
Magnetic fields can influence chemical reactions in several ways:
41. What is magnetic circular dichroism?
Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) is a spectroscopic technique that measures the differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light in the presence of a magnetic field:
42. How do magnetic fields interact with biological systems?
Magnetic fields can interact with biological systems in various ways:
43. What is the quantum Hall effect and how is it related to magnetism?
The quantum Hall effect is a quantum-mechanical version of the Hall effect, observed in two-dimensional electron systems subjected to low temperatures and strong magnetic fields:
44. What is magnetic frustration?
Magnetic frustration occurs when the geometry of a crystal lattice prevents the simultaneous minimization of all

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Questions related to

Have a question related to ?

Correct Answer: André-Marie Ampère


Solution : The correct answer is André-Marie Ampère.

André-Marie Ampère, a French scientist, proposed that a magnet should exert an equal and opposite force on a current-carrying conductor. A wire carrying current has its magnetic field. A current-carrying wire like a regular bar magnet, attracts a magnetic substance. There is no magnetic effect when the current is removed or the switch is closed. This is known as the magnetic effect of current.

Correct Answer: Joseph Henry


Solution : The correct option is Joseph Henry.

The Albany magnet was created by Joseph Henry, an American scientist, in 1830. Joseph Henry's electromagnet was one of the most powerful of its time, capable of lifting a maximum of 750 pounds of metal, representing a significant milestone in the development of electromagnet technology.

Henry's work on electromagnets and electromagnetic phenomena contributed to the foundation of modern electrical engineering and played a crucial role in the development of telegraphy and various other electrical applications.

Correct Answer: #


Solution : Given:
(I) Toys are hard⇒# % @
(II) Games magnet is toys⇒fr lm ag #

By comparing the sentences, (I) and (II) the common word and code are toys and #.

So, Toys is coded as #. Hence, the second option is correct.

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