Understanding Magnetism

Front

Magnetism Noun

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[mag-ni-tiz-um]

Back

Magnetism

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A fundamental force produced by moving electric charges, creating a field that attracts or repels other magnetic materials.

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Example: This diagram shows that the opposite poles of two magnets, the North (N) and South (S) poles, pull towards each other, demonstrating attraction.

Front

Lodestone Noun

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[lohd-stohn]

Back

Lodestone

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A naturally magnetized piece of the mineral magnetite, which can attract iron and was historically used in early compasses.

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Example: This image shows a lodestone, a natural magnet, using its magnetic force to attract and hold metal staples to its surface.

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

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[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

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A region around a magnetic material or a moving electric charge within which the force of magnetism acts.

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Example: This diagram shows the invisible magnetic field around a bar magnet. The lines, flowing from the North (N) to the South (S) pole, represent the direction and strength of the magnetic force.

Front

Magnetic Pole Noun

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[mag-net-ik pohl]

Back

Magnetic Pole

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One of two points, designated north or south, on a magnet where the external magnetic field is most concentrated.

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Example: This diagram shows a bar magnet with its North (N) and South (S) poles, illustrating how invisible magnetic field lines exit the North pole and enter the South pole.

Front

Polarized Adjective

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[poh-luh-rahyzd]

Back

Polarized

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The property of having two distinct and opposite ends or poles, such as the north and south poles of a magnet.

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Example: A magnet is polarized because it has two distinct ends: a North pole and a South pole, creating a directional magnetic field around it.

Front

Monopole Noun

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[mon-uh-pohl]

Back

Monopole

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A hypothetical particle that is a magnet with only a single magnetic pole, either a north or a south pole.

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Example: Breaking a bar magnet in half does not create separate North and South poles (monopoles); instead, it forms two new, smaller magnets.

Front

Compass Noun

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[kuhm-puhs]

Back

Compass

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An instrument with a magnetized pointer that rotates freely to align with Earth's magnetic field, indicating direction.

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Example: A compass has a magnetized needle that freely rotates. The red, north-seeking end of the needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field to point north.

Front

Ferromagnetic Adjective

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[fer-oh-mag-net-ik]

Back

Ferromagnetic

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Describing materials, like iron, that are strongly attracted to magnets and can be magnetized to form permanent magnets.

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Example: This image shows iron filings, a ferromagnetic material, aligning along the invisible magnetic field lines of a bar magnet, demonstrating their strong attraction.

Front

Magnetic Domain Noun

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[mag-net-ik doh-meyn]

Back

Magnetic Domain

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A microscopic region within a magnetic material where the magnetic fields of atoms are aligned in the same direction.

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Example: In an unmagnetized material (a), tiny magnetic domains are randomly aligned. When magnetized, the domains line up in the same direction, creating a magnet (b).

Front

Temporary Magnet Noun

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[tem-puh-rer-ee mag-nit]

Back

Temporary Magnet

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A material that exhibits magnetic properties only while it is within the influence of an external magnetic field.

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Example: This diagram shows an electromagnet, a type of temporary magnet. Electric current flowing through the coiled wire creates a magnetic field, turning the core into a magnet.