Chapter 6 Lesson 3 Magnetism

Magnetism is the ability of an object to push or pull on another object that has the magnetic property. Magnets have two poles: north (N) and south (S). Like poles repel one another; different poles attract. If you cut a magnet in half, each half will form a new magnet with two poles.

Magnetic Field Magnetic fields form around a magnet. The forces around our planet create a Magnetic Field.

Magnetic Field If the poles of atoms line up in the same direction, a permanent magnet is formed. The forces from the aligned poles of the atoms add up and give a magnet its strength. The strength aligns into fields or waves.

Magnetic Field

Electromagnet Electromagnet is an electric circuit that produces a magnetic field. The moving electrons in electricity generate magnetic fields. The simplest electromagnet is a straight wire. The magnetic field circles around the wire when electric current is flowing. The magnetism from each loop adds up to make the coil of an electromagnet.

Electromagnet

A voice coil operates audio speakers. The voice coil sits in a permanent magnetic field. Current changes in the coil and alters it’s magnetic field. This causes the forces to the permanent magnet to move it back and forth. The coil’s vibrations make the cone move back and forth, creating sound waves in the air.

How can magnets produce electricity? A generator is a device that creates electric current by spinning an electric coil between the poles of a magnet.

How can magnets produce electricity?

Electric Generator

Magnetic Levitation Magnetic levitation is the lifting of an object by means of magnetic forces. Scientists and engineers have designed trains that use magnetic levitation to travel on a track. By aligning the right type of poles in the track and in the train, electromagnets push the train a few centimeters above the track.

Magnetic Levitation By switching the poles back and forth the magnetism is able to move the train forward.

Magnetic Levitation