Magnetism

Front

Magnetism Noun

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[mag-ni-tiz-uhm]

Back

Magnetism

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A class of physical phenomena mediated by magnetic fields, involving forces of attraction or repulsion due to electron motion.

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Example: This image shows that when the similar poles of two magnets (North and North) are brought close together, they create a repulsive magnetic force that pushes them apart.

Front

Magnetic Pole Noun

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[mag-net-ik pohl]

Back

Magnetic Pole

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The regions at the ends of a magnet, labeled north and south, where the magnetic field is the strongest.

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Example: This diagram shows a bar magnet with its two magnetic poles, North (N) and South (S), where the magnetic force is strongest.

Front

Repulsion Noun

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[ri-puhl-shuhn]

Back

Repulsion

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The magnetic force that acts between like poles, causing them to push away from each other.

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Example: This image shows that when two identical magnetic poles (North-North or South-South) are brought near each other, they push each other away, which is called repulsion.

Front

Attraction Noun

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[uh-trak-shuhn]

Back

Attraction

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The magnetic force that acts between opposite poles, causing them to draw together and connect.

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Example: This diagram shows two bar magnets where the North pole of one magnet and the South pole of another are attracting, or pulling toward, each other.

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

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[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

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The region of space around a magnet in which the force of the magnet can be detected and felt.

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Example: This diagram shows the invisible magnetic field around a bar magnet, with arrows pointing from the North pole to the South pole to show the field's direction.

Front

Magnetic Field Lines Noun

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[mag-net-ik feeld lynz]

Back

Magnetic Field Lines

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Imaginary lines used to represent the strength and direction of a magnetic field, flowing from north to south poles.

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Example: This diagram shows the invisible magnetic field lines around a bar magnet, with arrows indicating the direction of the force from the north pole to the south pole.

Front

Ferromagnetic Adjective

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[fer-oh-mag-net-ik]

Back

Ferromagnetic

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Describing materials, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, that can be strongly magnetized and attracted to magnets.

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Example: This image shows how a ferromagnetic material, like the iron filings shown, is strongly attracted to a magnet and aligns with its invisible magnetic field lines.

Front

Permanent Magnet Noun

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[pur-muh-nuhnt mag-nit]

Back

Permanent Magnet

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A magnet that retains its magnetic properties and produces its own persistent magnetic field without an external power source.

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Example: A permanent magnet, like this horseshoe magnet, creates its own magnetic field, allowing it to attract ferromagnetic objects such as paper clips without electricity.

Front

Temporary Magnet Noun

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

Back

Temporary Magnet

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A material that behaves like a magnet only when it is within the magnetic field of a permanent magnet.

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Example: Wrapping a wire connected to a battery around an iron nail creates an electric current, turning the nail into a temporary magnet that can attract objects like paperclips.

Front

Electromagnet Noun

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[ih-lek-troh-mag-nit]

Back

Electromagnet

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A type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current flowing through a coil of wire.

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Example: This diagram shows how an electric current flowing through a coil of wire wrapped around a metal core creates a magnetic field, turning it into a temporary magnet.