MAGNETISM

PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS

- These are the categories considered for something to be a magnet

1. Magnetic Poles
- The ends of a magnet where the power of attraction or repulsion is greatest
- Types of poles: A Magnet has two poles:
1) North Pole- The end that points towards the Eart Geographic North Pole
2) South Pole- The end that points towards the Earth’s Geographic South Pole
- Attraction and repulsion of a magnet is strongest at its poles
- As u move away from the poles, the force diminishes
- This Phenomenon explains why Iron fillings cling predominantly around the ends of a bar
magnet when it is immersed in them
2. Directional property of a Magnet
- When a magnet is suspended by a thread and allowed to rotate freely, it eventually
aligns itself in the North-South Direction
- North pole settles North Pole of the earth while south pole settles South Pole of the
Earth
- The inherent tendency of materials to align with the Earth’s magnetic field is known as
Directional property of a Magnet
- The reason for this is because on the earth surface we have rocks which also have
magnetism which determines the North pole and south Pole Of the earth so when u
swing a magnet it will align itself like the magnets which are on the earth crust
3. Magnetic Materials
- A Magnet attracts magnetic materials
- These materials are attracted because intrinsic magnetic properties.
- For a material to be attracted it must be magnetized in a way that they will behave like
magnets.
- Examples Include: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron Alloys(such as steel), Nickel alloys
4. Non Magnetic Materials
- Magnets don’t have any effect to non magnetic materials
- These is due to their lack to intrinsic magnetic properties.
- Examples Include: Copper, Brass( an alloy of iron), Alluminium, Glass, wood, Graphite
5. Breaking a magnet
- When A Bar magnet is broken into two or more pieces, each piece retain its magnetism
- Each broken piece behaves like an independent magnet with a north pole at one end
and a south pole at the other end
MAGNETIC FIELD PATTERNS
When u have a North Pole of a magnet to a north pole of another magnet there is a
push because the poles are like poles and when u bring a south pole to a North pole
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there is a pull between the two magnets without the magnets touching each other
showing an attraction between the two magnet, but a push and a pull which occurs
between two bodies when the bodies interact is called a force which means close to the
two magnets there is a force and that force is Magnetic force
1. Magnetic field
- The region around a magnet where its magnetic influence is felt
- It encompasses the Magnetic force of attraction and repulsion
- The strength of the magnetic field is greater near the poles of the magnet are weaker
further away from the poles
2. Magnetic Field Lines
- These are the lines of force that visually represent the magnetic field
- They form intricate patterns providing insights to the magnetic behaviour
- These lines are collectively referred to as Magnetic field patterns
3. Direction of Magnetic field
- At any given point, the direction of the magnetic field indicates the path a free north
pole take if placed in that field
Properties of magnetic field lines
A) Magnetic field lines start from North Pole of a magnet and end at the south pole
B) Theses lines repel each other sideways, creating closed paths
C) The magnetic field lines don’t intersect each other
D) The spacing between field lines is closer where the magnetic force is stronger- So the
closer the field lines the stronger the magnet
BASIC LAW OF MAGNETISM
Also a property of magnets
- The Basic law of Magnetism states like poles of magnets repel each other, while unlike
poles attract each other.
- In other words, Like poles( both north or both south) push away from each other while
unlike poles(one north and one south) pull toward each other.
Verifying the basic law of Magnetism
1. Suspend one bar magnet using a thread or string so that it can rotate freely
2. Bring the North pole of another magnet toward the north pole of the suspended
magnet
. Observe what happens when u bring the north pole of another magnet toward the
north pole of the suspended magnet
3. Bring the same pole toward the south pole of the suspended magnet
4. Now, bring the same pole(north or south) toward the south pole of the suspended
magnet
OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSION
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- When u bring the north pole of the second magnet close to the north pole of the second
magnet, you will notice repulsion
- The two north poles push away from each other
- Conversely, when u bring the same pole(North or south) towards the south pole of the
suspended magnet u will notice repulsion
- However if u bring the north pole of the second magnet close to the south pole of the
suspended magnet u will see attraction
- The unlike poles attract each other
NB. Therefore, we can conclude that like poles repel while unlike poles attract.
Testing Polarity
- Repulsion is a reliable test for determining the polarity of a magnet because it occurs
only between like poles
- Attraction on the other hand is not a definitive test because it can happen between
unlike poles or between a magnet and an unmagnetized magnetic material
NEUTRAL POINT (Point X)
- The neutral point, denoted as Point X, Is a specific location within a magnetic field
- At this point, the resultant magnetic field is zero. In other words, the magnetic forces
from different locations cancel out, resulting in no net magnetic effect.
- In a spot where the magnetic influences balance perfectly.
Concentration of magnetic field lines
- When a magnetic field interacts with a material, such as soft iron, the field lines tend to
concentrate in certain regions.
- In the case of a soft iron ring, the magnetic field lines become densely packed within the
ring material.
- The concentration of field lines occurs due to the high permeability of soft iron.
Essentially, soft iron acts as a magnet funnel, directing the field lines
Magnetic shielding
- The phenomenon where the soft iron ring concentrates magnetic field lines is known as
magnetic shielding
- In Practical terms, this means that the soft iron prevents magnetic field lines from
passing through a specific region
- Consequently, the shielded region by the ring, effectively block external magnetic fields
from penetrating that area
Applications of Magnetic shielding
1. Electrical Measuring instruments
- Soft Iron rods and rings are commonly used in the construction of electrical measuring
instruments( such as ammeters and voltmeters)
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- These readings need accurate readings and stray magnetic fields can interfere with their
operation
- The soft iron shields protect them from such interference.
2. Watches
- Some watches, especially those with sensitive mechanical movements, incorporate soft
iron components to shield against external magnetic fields
- This ensures accurate time keeping even in magnetic environments
DOMAIN THEORY OF MAGNETISM
Domain theory
- The domain theory of magnetism is a concept used to explain how magnetic materials
behave on a microscopic scale
- It helps to understand why some materials are magnetic while others are not, and how
the magnetic properties of materials can be influenced by external factors like
Temperature and Magnetic fields
Magnetic Domain
- Magnets consist of small magnetic groups referred to as magnetic domains
- Within each domain, the magnetic moments reinforce each other, creating a net
magnetic field.
- Domains have a common magnetic axis.
- Domains comprise smaller sub-atomic magnets( molecular magnets) called dipoles
- The dipoles in a particular domain point towards a common direction
Domain structure
- A Magnetic material consists of numerous magnetic domains, each containing billions of
atoms with aligned magnetic moments
- In an Unmagnetized material, these domains are randomly oriented, resulting in the
cancellation of their magnetic fields at the macroscopic level, so the material exhibits
little to no net magnetization
- When a magnetic field is applied to the material, the magnetic domains tend to align
with the field direction
- This alignment causes the material to become magnetized with the domains pointing in
the same direction in the same direction as the external field
Behavior under external influences
- Temperature- At Higher temperatures, thermal energy disrupts the alignment of
magnetic domains, causing them to become less oriented
Eventually, above a certain temperature, called The Curle Temperature, the material
loses its magnetic properties altogether
- Magnetic fields- External magnetic fields can influence the alignment of magnetic
domains
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When a magnetic force is applied, it tends to align the domains in the direction of the
field, resulting in magnetization
The material can retain this magnetization even after the removal of the external field,
depending on its coercivity
DOMAIN THEORY
- Domain theory can be used to distinguish between magnets, magnetic material, and non
magnetic
- The distinction between magnets, magnetic materials and non magnetic materials can
be explained through the behavior and structure of their magnetic domains.
- Magnets have well aligned domains and exhibit strong magnetic properties
- Magnetic materials can be magnetized but may not retain magnetization like magnets
- Non Magnetic materials lack significant magnetic domains and don’t exhibit magnetic
behavior under normal circumstances
Magnets
- Magnets are materials that exhibit strong magnetic properties due to the alignment of
their magnetic domains even in the absence of an external magnetic field
- Magnets typically have well aligned magnetic domains across the entire material,
resulting in a strong net magnetic field.
- Magnets retain their magnetization over time due to the stability of their magnetic
domain structure
Magnetic Materials
- Magnetic materials are substances that can be magnetized when placed in a magnetic
field
- They contain magnetic domains, but these domains may not be fully aligned in the
absence of an external field
Behavior
- Magnetic materials can become magnetized and retain some degree of magnetization
after external field is removed
- This is because external magnetic fields can influence the alignment of magnetic
domains with these materials.
Non Magnetic materials
- Non Magnetic materials are substances that don’t exhibit magnetic properties or do so
to an extremely small degree.
Domain structure
- Non magnetic materials either lack magnetic domains or have domains that are
randomly oriented and cancel each other out, resulting in no net magnetic field.
Behavior
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- These materials are generally not affected by magnetic fields and don’t retain any
magnetization after the removal of an external magnetic field
MAGNETIZATION
- Magnetization refers to the process of transforming a material into a magnet by aligning
its magnetic dipoles
- In a partially magnetized material, most but not all magnetic domains are aligned in one
direction.
- When a material is fully magnetized, all the domains align uniformly, resulting in a state
known as magnetic saturation.
Methods of Magnetization
- There are four common methods of magnetization, these are
1. Induction
2. Stroking
3. Hammering in north-south direction
4. Electrical method using direct current(d.c)
1) Electrical method( Using Direct Current)
In this method:
- A Solenoid( a coil with many turns of insulated copper wire) is used
- The magnetic material to be magnetized is placed inside the solenoid, which is
connected in series with a battery ( D.C) Source
- The switch is closed and direct current flows through the solenoid for a specific duration
Identifying the resulting poles
- The polarities of the resulting magnet depend on the direction of the electric current
- To determine the poles of the magnet, we can use the right hand grip rule for a current
carrying coil which states that if a solenoid carrying current is grasped in the right hand
such that the fingers point in the direction of current flow, the thumb points in the
direction of the North Pole
- We can also use the clock rule, which states that if on viewing one end of the bar, the
current flows in clockwise direction then that end is the south pole. If anticlockwise,
then it is North Pole.
Important Note
- Allowing the current to flow for an extended period does not increase the extent of
magnetic saturation. Instead, it may cause overheating of the solenoid, adversely
affecting magnetism.
- The electrical method is a practical way to magnetize materials and understanding the
right hand grip rule or the clock rule helps identify the resulting poles.
2) Hammering method ( Mechanical Method)
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- Principle: The hammering method utilizes the earth’s magnetic field to magnetize a steel
bar.
Procedure
- Take a steel bar that you want to magnetize
- Place the steel bar in the north-south position(aligned with the Earth’s magnetic field)
- Hammer the upper end of the steel bar
- As a result of hammering, the end pointing northward becomes the north pole, and the
end pointing southward becomes the south pole.
Explanation
- The mechanical energy from the hammering process aligns the magnetic domains within
the steel bar, creating a net magnetic alignment.
- The earth’s magnetic field assists in this alignment.
Application
- This method is simple and can be used to magnetize small steel objects.
3) Induction Method
Principle: In the Induction method, a magnet induces magnetism with a magnetic
material that is in contact with it
Procedure
- Bring a magnet close to a magnetic material( such as an iron rod or a steel bar)
- The magnetic field of the magnet influences the magnetic domains in the material
- The end of the material in contact with the magnet attains a polarity opposite to the
pole of the magnet.
Explanation
- When the magnet approaches the material, it causes the alignment of magnetic
domains within the material
- The material becomes temporarily magnetized due to this influence.
Application
- Induction is commonly used in applications like transformers, electric motors and
generators
Important Note
- Remember that both methods involve the alignment of magnetic domains within the
material, resulting in magnetization
- The hammering method relies on mechanical energy while the induction method utilizes
the influence of an external magnet.
4) Stroking Method
- The stroking method involves repeatedly stroking a magnetic material bar using one end
of a strong Magnet
Process
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- Take a magnetic material bar( such as Iron or steel)

- Stroke one end of the material with one pole of a strong magnet
- Repeat the stroking process several times
- The alignment of magnetic domains within the material occurs during stroking, resulting
in magnetization
- The magnetic material becomes a magnet
- The end of the material where the magnet finishes stroking acquires an opposite
polarity to that of the stroking magnet
A) Single Stroke method
Procedure
- The magnetic material is stroked with one pole of the magnet from one end to another.
- The magnet is lifted away from each stroke
- The stroking method is repeated several times while maintaining the inclination of the
magnet
Disadvantage
- It produces magnets in which one pole is neared the end of the magnetized material
than the other
- To avoid this, we can use the double stroke method
B) Double Stroke Method
- The magnetic material bar is stroked from the center repeatedly on opposite directions
- Two bar magnets with opposite polarities or like poles.
Advantages
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- Produces magnets with more balanced pole distribution

- Helps avoid the uneven pole placement seen in the single stroke method
DEMAGNETIZATION OF MATERIALS
- It refers to the loss of magnetism in a previously magnetized material
- Cause: During demagnetization, the magnetic domains within the material reverse their
direction and become misaligned or disoriented
- Self Demagnetization: A Magnet can undergo self demagnetization if it is poorly stored
or subjected to external influences
- External Influences- External factors such as providing enough energy to the dipoles can
overcome the forces that hold them in a particular direction
Methods For Demagnetization
- There are 3 main methods of demagnetizing a magnet:
a) Hammering method in East-West direction
b) Heating in East west direction
c) Electrical method by using alternating current( a.c)
a) Hammering
- Take a magnet and place it in the east-west direction
- Repeatedly hammer the magnet or drop it on a hard surface floor several times
- The magnet gradually loses most of its magnetism
b) Heating
Procedure
- Heat the magnet until it become red hot
- Suddenly cool it while resting in the east-west direction
Outcome
- The rapid temperature change disrupts the alignment of magnetic domains, causing the
magnet to lose its magnetism.
c) Electrical Method( Using Alternating current)
- Place the magnet inside a solenoid( a coil of wire) oriented in the east-west direction
- Pass an alternating current (AC) through the solenoid
Explanation:
-Alternating current rapidly reverses direction many times per second
- This frequent reversal disorients the magnetic dipoles within the material, leading to
demagnetization.
Important to Note
- Remember that these methods are practical ways to intentionally demagnetize a
material
- Whether its hammering, heating or using electrical currents, each approach disrupts the
alignment of magnetic domains, resulting in a loss of magnetism
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Soft Magnetic Materials

- Soft magnetic materials are those that can be easily magnetized but dont retain their
magnetism for an extended period.
- Examples- Iron( Pure iron is a common soft magnetic material)
Alloys of iron and nickel( Alloys like iron-nickel alloy exhibit soft magnetic
properties)
Characteristics of soft magnetic materials
- Soft magnetic materials allow magnetic flux to pass through them efficiently
- They require minimal energy to demagnetize
- Soft Magnetic materials experience minimal energy loss during magnetization cycles.
Applications of soft magnetic materials
i) Electromagnets- Soft magnetic materials are used in the cores of electromagnets
to enhance magnetic field strength
ii) Transformer cores- They form the core of transformer where they efficiently
transfer energy between coils
iii) Magnetic shielding- Soft Magnetic materials shield sensitive electronic
components from external magnetic fields.
Hard Magnetic Materials
- They are difficult to magnetize initially, but once magnetized, they retain their
magnetism for a long time
- Example: Steel is a commonly used hard magnetic material
Characteristics
- Hard Magnetic materials require significant energy to demagnetize
- They retain a string magnetic field even after the external magnetic field is removed
- Hard magnetic materials experience energy loss during magnetization cycles.
Applications
. Permanent magnets
- Hard magnetic materials are used to create permanent magnets for various applications
such as 1. Refrigerator magnets
- 2. Electric motors
- 3. Loudspeakers
STORING OF MAGNETS
- Bar Magnets- When storing bar magnets its essential to prevent self demagnetization
- Pairs- Store bar magnets in pairs
- Soft iron keepers- Place soft iron keepers across the ends of the magnets
- Unlike poles close- Ensure that the unlike poles of the magnets are placed close to each
other
- Induction- The magnets magnetize the soft iron keepers through induction
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- Closed Loop- The aligned dipoles form a closed loop or chain around the magnets and
the keepers with no free poles.
USES OF MAGNETS
1. Hospitals
- Magnets are used in hospitals to remove pieces of iron from patient’s eye or other body
parts
- They also use Magnetic resonance Imaging which uses very strong magnets whose field
enable doctors to take very clear images of the internal parts of the body
2. Industries
- Magnets serve as stirrers in various industrial processes
- They are also used for lifting iron scarp metals efficiently
3. Weather Stations
- In weather stations, magnets are employed for resetting Six’s Minimum and maximum
thermometers.
4. Navigation
- Compass needle utilize magnets to show direction
5. Computer, Hard Disk, Audio and video recorders.
- Magnetic tapes are widely used in audio and video recorders for data storage and
playback
6. Loudspeakers
- Loudspeakers coverts electrical signals into sound
7.Magnetic screw drivers
- Used in lifting small screws or putting them into place during repair work, technicians
make use of magnetic screw drivers.