Magnets

Question 1

Magnetic materials

Answer 1

Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic materials. They are affected by magnets and are attracted to both poles of a magnet.

Question 2

Permanent magnets

Answer 2

A permanent magnet is often made from a magnetic material such as steel. It produces its own magnetic field, and the magnetic field cannot be turned on or off. Bar magnets are examples of this.

Question 3

Induced magnets

Answer 3

Unlike a permanent magnet, an induced magnet is only magnetic when placed in a magnetic field. The induced magnetism is quickly lost when the magnet is removed from the magnetic field.

Question 4

What is a magnetic field

Answer 4

A magnetic field is the region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnet or on a magnetic material

Question 5

Magnetic field diagram

Answer 5

The magnetic field lines never cross each other
The closer the lines, the stronger the magnetic field
The lines have arrowheads to show the direction of the force exerted by the magnetic north pole
The arrowheads point from the north pole of a magnet to its south pole