3.10 Magnetism Flashcards
What has been the historical significance of magnetism?
Utilised since the invention of the magnetic compass during the Chinese Han dynasty, around 2000 years ago.
List some applications of permanent magnets.
- Motors
- Generators
- Microphones
- Loudspeakers
- Hard drives
- Sensors
- Switches
Who began the discovery of the connection between electricity and magnetism?
Michael Faraday in 1831.
What is the major discipline that emerged from the study of electricity and magnetism?
Electromagnetism.
What is magnetism caused by?
The motion of electric charges.
What is the region in which magnetic effects are observed called?
Magnetic field.
Name three elements that are described as being magnetic.
- Iron
- Nickel
- Cobalt
What happens to items containing magnetic elements when near permanent magnets?
They are attracted and can be magnetised.
Why do the magnetic fields of most elements cancel out?
Due to the many electrons present and their arrangements.
True or False: Each atom of a magnetic element acts like a small, permanent magnet.
True.
Fill in the blank: The understanding of electromagnetism is fundamental to the design and maintenance of _______.
[electrical components and systems].
What is the effect of the particular arrangements of electrons in magnetic elements?
They create a small, residual magnetic effect.
What is the Earth’s magnetic field also known as?
Geo-magnetic Field
How is the Earth’s magnetic field generated?
By a self-exciting dynamo process in the planet’s interior
What generates the magnetic field in the Earth’s outer core?
Electrical currents flowing in slowly moving molten iron
What is the process in the Earth’s outer core likened to?
A naturally occurring electrical generator
What causes the deviation of a compass from true north?
Pockets of magnets (Lodestones) in the crust or rocks
What is the angle called that represents the deviation of the compass from true north?
Declination or magnetic declination
What is a significant problem for aircraft relying on magnetic compasses?
The variation of magnetic declination with geographic location and time
If the Earth is pictured as a permanent magnet, which pole attracts the north pole of a compass?
The south pole of the Earth
What is the north magnetic pole?
The point at which the Earth’s magnetic field lines point vertically downwards
What happens when a permanent magnet is freely suspended?
It comes to rest with one end pointing towards the north pole of the Earth
What is the north-seeking pole of a permanent magnet?
The end that points towards the north pole of the Earth
What is the primary use of a magnetic compass?
To find the direction of magnetic north and therefore all other directions
What causes the compass needle to deviate from magnetic north?
Pockets of magnets and shifting magnetic fields
What does a magnetic compass contain that allows it to function?
A small, light magnet called a needle
What happens to the compass needle in the presence of a stronger magnetic field?
It aligns with the field around the stronger magnet
What are the three typical representations of the Earth’s magnetic fields?
A: Theoretical magnetic field with smooth lines, B: Kinks causing deviation, C: Snapshot of shifting magnetic fields
Fill in the blank: The deviation of the compass from true north is an angle called _______.
declination
What materials does a permanent magnet attract?
Magnetic materials containing one or more magnetic elements.
What is the force of attraction of a magnet strongest?
At each end (pole) of the magnet.
What happens when like poles of magnets interact?
They repel each other.
What happens when unlike poles of magnets interact?
They attract each other.
What is a plotting compass used for?
To map the direction of magnetic force around a magnet.
What do the lines produced by a plotting compass represent?
Lines of magnetic flux.
What direction does magnetic flux flow according to the model?
From north to south around the magnet.
What happens to the strength of the magnetic field where lines of magnetic flux are closer together?
The magnetic field is stronger.
What is the shape of the lines of magnetic flux?
Closed loops.
Where do lines of magnetic flux exit and enter a magnet?
Exit at the north pole and enter at the south pole.
What direction do lines of magnetic flux point externally?
Away from the north pole and towards the south pole.
Fill in the blank: Magnetic lines of flux always form _______.
closed loops.
True or False: Magnetic lines of flux can cross each other.
False.
What is the effect of magnetic lines of flux on each other?
They repel each other sideways.
What is the behavior of magnetic lines of flux in terms of their length?
They try to shorten themselves.
What path do magnetic lines of flux always take?
The path of least reluctance.
Is there a known insulator for magnetic lines of flux?
No known insulator exists.
What are Weiss domains?
Small magnets within materials where the magnetic fields of individual atoms are aligned in the same direction
Weiss domains are crucial in understanding how materials can become magnetised.
What happens to an iron bar when subjected to a strong magnetic field?
The magnetic domains align in the same direction, reinforcing each other’s magnetic fields
This results in the iron bar becoming magnetised and exhibiting a magnetic field.
What is a permanent magnet?
An iron bar that has been magnetised and exhibits a magnetic field
The alignment of Weiss domains contributes to its permanent magnetism.
List methods for magnetising materials.
- Stroking with another magnet
- Hammering in the direction of a magnetic field
- Heating in a magnetic field
- Passing an electric current through a coil (electro-magnet)
These methods utilize various physical principles to align the magnetic domains.
What occurs when a permanent magnet is broken into pieces?
Each piece acts as a smaller permanent magnet with its own north and south pole
This phenomenon illustrates that magnetism is a property of the material at a fundamental level.
What is demagnetisation?
The process of removing magnetism from a workpiece or tool
Demagnetisation may be necessary for various applications, especially in electronics.
How can demagnetisation be achieved?
- Turning off the current of an electro-magnet
- Slowly moving away from a strong alternating magnetic field (degaussing)
- Using mechanical force (striking or dropping)
- Heating beyond the Curie temperature
Each method affects the alignment of magnetic domains in different ways.
What is degaussing?
The process of slowly moving an item away from a strong alternating magnetic field to demagnetise it
This is often necessary for components after exposure to strong electromagnetic events like lightning strikes.
What is the Curie temperature for iron?
769 °C
Heating beyond this temperature may demagnetise iron, but magnetism can recur if the temperature falls below it.
What happens if you heat a magnetic material beyond its Curie temperature?
The magnetism may be lost, but it can recur if the temperature drops below the Curie temperature
Regular exposure to high temperatures can lead to permanent loss of magnetism.
Fill in the blank: The Curie temperature for cobalt is _______.
1075 °C
This temperature is significant for understanding the thermal stability of cobalt’s magnetic properties.
True or False: Nickel has a Curie temperature of 356 °C.
True
This temperature is essential for applications involving nickel in magnetic fields.
What range of Curie temperatures do some ferrites have?
50 – 600 °C
Ferrites exhibit varying thermal properties which can affect their magnetic behavior.
What is magnetic shielding?
Magnetic shielding is used to create a shield for a device or component that requires protection from magnetic interference.
What does a steel ring do in magnetic shielding?
The steel ring attracts the lines of magnetic flux to itself because it has high permeability.
What happens to components placed inside a steel ring in the context of magnetic shielding?
Components placed inside the ring should not be subjected to a magnetic field applied in the direction shown.
True or False: Nothing can stop magnetic flux from flowing from north to south.
True.
What is the principle behind magnetic shielding?
It redirects lines of magnetic flux using good conductors.
What are some examples of devices that may require magnetic shielding?
Electro-mechanical instruments such as ammeter and voltmeters.