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Feedback Comments on Magnetism
by Ron Kurtus
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A total of 595 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of the most recent 10 items
| Topic | Title |
| Basics of Magnetism | Why do atoms have a magnetic field? |
| Basics of Magnetism | How to understand magnetism |
| Basics of Magnetism | Can magnetic field be increased? |
| Magnetism | Could you shoot a bullet with magnets? |
| Magnetism | Could magets be a perpetual motion machine? |
| Magnetism | Direction of magnetic fields is incorrect |
| Magnetic Materials | Classification of magentic materials |
| Magnetism | Explain magnetic materials |
| Magnets | Do parallel magnet form a compass? |
| Magnetism | Does electricity cause magnetism? |
Basics of Magnetism
Why do atoms have a magnetic field?
Question
May 9, 2013
i just wanna ask that why do magnetic field arrises inside the atoms? well when i looked up for it it waz due to the motion of electron around its axis and around the orbital but am confused that if thats the case then from where do they originate ???
well I was guessing if thats due to their sum of all the magnetic fields like canceling and adding up or something that sort of. And why do the magnet have only two poles??
When i read the article it was mentioned that the field is concentrated in the two poles but if the magnetic field is really like the electric field then shoudn't the ends of all the magnets be steep than the other regions and regarding that if we consider it then saying that earth is a big magnet and then saying that its two opposite poles are flat isn't it too contradictory????
well guess so its really a stupid question but thanks for looking up !! and the best thing that i liked about the article was the explanation of attraction and repulsion particularly the diagrams it was really amazing and thanks again !!!
Priyanka - India
23674
Answer
Electric fields and magnetic fields are interrelated. When a charged particle such as an electron is moving or rotating, it creates a magnetic field.
An electric field has two poles: positive (+) and negative (-). Likewise, a magnetic field has two poles: N and S.
Electrons and protons can be considered tiny magnets, with N and S poles. Likewise, if the particles are aligned--such as in an iron atom--the atom itself can be a tiny magnet.
A magnet consists of magnetized atoms lined up. Thus the field is concentrated at the ends, while the middle of the magnet shows little or no field.
Your questions weren't stupid, since the subject is somewhat tricky to understand.
Basics of Magnetism
How to understand magnetism
Question
March 6, 2013
what are the major basis to understand in this topic?
MUNIAN - Uganda
23521
Answer
The basic items for understanding are that magnetic materials or magnets have north and south poles, where like poles repel and opposite pole attract. This is caused by the magnetic fields.
Try experimenting with magnets to see the properties.
Basics of Magnetism
Can magnetic field be increased?
Question
February 22, 2013
can the magnetic field of an object be increased?
Ananthi - India
23219
Answer
The magnetic field of a permanent magnet can be decreased by heating it. The magnet will increase back to normal when it cools off.
The magnetic field of an electromagnet can be increased with added current through its windings.
Magnetism
Could you shoot a bullet with magnets?
Question
February 3, 2013
could you shoot a bullet with magnets
- USA
23171
Answer
Yes, the military has perfected what they call a Magnetic Rail Gun. There is even a toy called a Magnetic Accelerator Cannon.
Magnetism
Could magets be a perpetual motion machine?
Question
January 27, 2013
If you placed two magnets in a position to repel each other, and put them on wheels and in a close position would you achieve perpetual motion.
Or if you put them in a position to attract, would the results be the same.
murph - USA
23154
Answer
The magnets with wheels on them would push apart. However, the magnetic decreases rapidly with distance. At some point, the vehicles would stop, because the force pushing them apart would be less than the friction on the wheels.
Another factor comes into play. One of the magnets would tend to flip around, so that you have opposite poles attracting each other.
Try it with two magnets on a slippery surface.
Magnetism
Direction of magnetic fields is incorrect
Question
January 20, 2013
In your article, 'The Basics of Magnetism', your illustration of the earth's magnetic field is the wrong way around. The magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is south, and the magnetic polarity of Magnetic South is north. The terms, 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are used to distinguish these LOCATIONS from 'True North' and 'True South', and do NOT describe their magnetic polarities. Therefore the lines of magnetic flux should be shown leaving the southern hemisphere and entering the northern hemisphere.
Adrian - Cyprus
23139
Answer
Thanks for pointing the discrepancy.
There are conflicting views on the convention for the direction of the Earth's magnetic field. However, most agree with your viewpoint.
I've added a page to reflect that convention at: Confusion About the North Magnetic Pole.
Note that the circular images in The Basics of Magnetism represent charged particles, so the direction of the fields is correct.
Magnetic Materials
Classification of magentic materials
Question
January 8, 2013
how the materials are classified on the basis of magnetic properties?
vimal - India
23111
Answer
Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials should give you the information you need.
Magnetism
Explain magnetic materials
Question
November 9, 2012
May you please classify&explain magnetic materials.
- Nigeria.
23028
Answer
See Classifications of Magnetic Materials for information on that subject.
Magnets
Do parallel magnet form a compass?
Question
September 23, 2012
If I suspend one or more bar magnets, similar to a compass, I presume they will generally point north, and this end of each magnet is its north pole. If any two of these magnets were aligned in parallel with like poles next to each other... I presume the magnets will repel each other. If any two of these identical magnets, has one inverted and then aligned... with another I presume the two cling together and form sort of a single larger bar magnet. If this is true, each end would have an unlike north and south poles side by side. If this is still true... and I suspend these parallel joined bar magnets... which end will point north, or would it not act as a compass when configured as such?
Ron - USA
22941
Answer
If you suspend a bar magnet on a string, its north-seeking pole will point toward the North Pole. If you suspend another magnet parallel to and near the first one, their magnetic fields may be strong than the Earth's field, and they will react according to the direction of the magnets, such that opposite poles will attract.
The two magnets will ultimately cling N-to-S. If one magnet is stronger than the other, there still may be some field that is affected by the Earth.
It would be an interesting experiment to see if the connected parallel suspended magnets still form a compass.
Magnetism
Does electricity cause magnetism?
Question
August 4, 2012
The electricity causes magnetism or magnetism is what causes electricity? That is my question. Thank you very much for your help. Sincerely.
Hely Rincn
HELY - Venezuela
22825
Answer
Electricity and magnetism are interrelated.
A moving electrical charge creates a magnetic field. This can be seen by putting a compass near a wire with DC electricity moving through it.
A moving or changing magnetic field causes electrical particles to move, thus creating electricity. See Generating Electrical Current.
Summary
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