It’s impossible to escape the unlimited access to information at our fingertips, the constant barrage of information can make it hard to remember everything you’ve learned, seen, or been told. The good news is we have 6 facts about magnets that you don’t know… yet.
Magnets are used in all walks of life day to day, some you may not see or remember their use, and some you might not even be aware of!
That’s why it’s essential to know as much as possible about magnets. So, check out our top 6 facts about magnets that you need to know.
1. Magnets Have Two Poles
Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole.
A magnet’s poles are the surfaces from which lines of magnetism leave a magnet and reconnect on return to the magnet. The pole of a magnet is the area that has the greatest magnetic field strength in a given direction.
Magnetism either attracts or repels objects; if the same pole of two magnets are placed close together they will repel and push away, whereas two different poles placed near each other attract and pull together.
2. Magnets Produce A Force
All magnets produce a magnetic force, this is called a magnetic field. This field travels from a magnet’s north pole to the south pole and is completely invisible to the human eye, however, iron filings can be used to show these fields.
3. Not All Metals Are Magnetic
Magnets only attract certain types of metals including nickel, steel, iron, and cobalt.
Most metals such as copper, silver, aluminium, platinum, magnesium, and gold are not magnetic. Other objects such as plastic, paper, and wood are also not magnetic.
Check out our post here to find out what metals magnets attract to.
4. There Are Different Types of Magnets
There are three different types of magnets including electromagnets, air-core magnets, and permanent magnets.
There are five types of modern permanent magnets, each made in a different way from different materials with different characteristics.
The five types of permanent magnets:
5. The Earth Is A Large Magnet
Earth’s core is made up of mostly iron, which has given the Earth its own magnetic field, with both a north and south-facing pole. The Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet by deflecting solar winds and charged particles from the sun.
6. Compasses Rely on Earth
A magnetic compass will use Erath’s magnetic field in order to navigate north, east, west, and south.
And there you have it! 6 amazing facts about magnets. If you want to learn more about magnets, head over to our tech center.
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