A Magnet Research Paper

A magnet is any object that exhibits magnetic properties by attracting iron-containing objects and by creating a magnetic field. During 600 B.C. the Greeks were the first to use magnets when they encountered a mysterious stone that attracted iron and other similar material. Magnets attract ferrous objects such as iron, cobalt, nickel, and steel (How Magnets Work). Every magnet has a north and a south pole. The end that points to the North is called the North Pole while the pole that points South is called the South Pole. Opposite poles attract each other. Therefore, the North Pole of a magnet will attract to the South Pole of another magnet. On another note, same poles repel each other. Therefore, two North Poles will repel each other (Reis).

A magnetic field is the space surrounding a magnet where magnetic forces are exerted. The magnetic field of a bar magnet occurs from the motion of charged electrons in the magnet (Walker). The magnetic field of a magnet begins and end at its magnetic poles. Magnetic field lines are a graphical portrayal of the magnitude and the direction of a magnetic field. Magnetic field lines converge at the magnetic poles. The strength of a magnetic field is inversely proportional to the distance between each magnetic field line. These magnetic field lines never intersect each other. Magnetic field lines can be easily observed by seeing how iron-fillings assemble along a magnets field lines

The four different types of magnets are: ceramic magnets, alnico magnets, neodymium magnets, and samarium cobalt. Ceramic magnets contain iron oxide in a ceramic composite and are the ones used in refrigerators. Ceramic magnets, also known as ferric magnets, are fairly weak. Alnico magnets are made of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. Alnico magnets are much stronger than ceramic magnets, but are not stronger than magnets that contain rare-earth metals. Neodymium magnets contain iron, boron and neodymium. Neodymium is a rare-earth metal. Samarium cobalt magnets are made of cobalt and the rare-earth element samarium. Scientist have also discovered plastic magnets, known as magnetic polymer. However, some only work at very low