When we talk about something being "magnetic," we're usually referring to its ability to attract certain materials, such as iron or steel. This property is due to the presence of a magnetic field, which is a region around a magnet where its influence can be felt. Magnets have two poles, known as the north pole and the south pole. Like poles repel each other, while opposite poles attract each other.
Permanent Magnets: These are materials that are magnetized and retain their magnetic properties. Common examples include bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, and refrigerator magnets.
Electromagnets: These are magnets created by passing an electric current through a coil of wire. The strength of the magnetic field can be increased or decreased by changing the amount of current flowing through the wire.
Uses of Magnets
Magnets have a wide range of practical applications, including:
Give an example of a permanent magnet. Answer: A bar magnet.
What is an electromagnet and how is it different from a permanent magnet? Answer: An electromagnet is created by passing an electric current through a coil of wire. Its magnetism can be turned on and off by controlling the flow of electric current, unlike permanent magnets.
The student develops an understanding of the processes of science by asking questions, predicting, observing, describing, measuring, classifying, making generalizations, inferring and communicating.