Magnetic force

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Magnetic force
Magnetic force demonstration | Image: Force in Physics

Magnetic force is the attractive or repulsive force exerted between magnets or magnetic materials. For example, when a magnet is brought close to a collection of iron balls, the magnetic force causes the balls to be attracted towards the magnet. This phenomenon demonstrates the ability of magnetic forces to influence and manipulate magnetic materials, a clear illustration of magnetism at work.

Examples

Magnet

Magnetic force example - magnet (different poles)
Two magnets attract due to the magnetic force when their opposite poles face each other | Image: Force in Physics

The attraction of two magnets is a result of magnetic force pulling them towards each other. Magnets have two poles, a north pole and a south pole. Unlike poles attract, so when the north pole of one magnet faces the south pole of another, the magnetic force causes them to be drawn together.

Magnetic force example - magnet (same poles)
Two magnets repel due to the magnetic force when their like poles face each other | Image: Force in Physics

The repulsion of two magnets occurs when like poles (two north poles or two south poles) face each other. According to the principles of magnetism, like poles repel each other. The magnetic force generated between the similar poles pushes them away from each other.

Nut

Magnetic force example - nut
Nut bolts are attracted to a magnet due to the magnetic force acting on the ferromagnetic material | Image: Force in Physics

When nut bolts, made of ferromagnetic material, come into the vicinity of a magnet, they are attracted to it due to magnetic force. As the magnet induces a magnetic field in the metal, it creates an attraction that draws the nut and bolts towards it.

Paper clip

Magnetic force example - paper clip
A paper clip is attracted to a magnet when brought closer, responding to the magnetic force | Image: Force in Physics

When a paper clip, typically made of steel, is brought near a magnet, it becomes attracted to the magnet. The magnetic force affects the magnetic domains in the steel, aligning them in a way that causes the paper clip to stick to the magnet.

Coin

Magnetic force example - coin
Coins may be attracted to a magnet due to small amounts of magnetic material or temporary magnetization | Image: Force in Physics

Although coins are typically made of non-magnetic materials like copper or aluminum, they may appear attracted to a magnet due to an electromagnetic effect. This occurs because some coins contain trace amounts of magnetic material or can become temporarily magnetized when exposed to a strong magnetic field. As a result, these coins are drawn towards the magnet, demonstrating the influence of magnetism even on materials not traditionally considered magnetic.

Wrench

Magnetic force example - wrench
A wrench sticks to a magnet as the magnetic force induces magnetism in the ferromagnetic material | Image: Force in Physics

If a wrench, made of ferromagnetic material (such as steel), sticks to a magnet, it’s because the magnetic force is acting on the metal. The magnetic field induces magnetism in the steel, and this induced magnetism causes the wrench to be attracted to the magnet.

Key

Magnetic force example - key
Iron keys stick to a magnet due to the magnetic force acting on the ferromagnetic iron in the keys | Image: Force in Physics

Similar to the wrench, if iron keys stick to a magnet, it indicates the presence of ferromagnetic material in the keys. The magnetic force creates a temporary magnetic field in the iron (induced magnetism), which attracts the keys and causes them to stick.

Iron powder

Magnetic force example - iron powder
Iron powder is attracted to a magnet, demonstrating the magnetic force’s ability to manipulate small magnetic particles | Image: Force in Physics

When iron powder is brought near a magnet, it is attracted due to the magnetic force acting on the individual iron particles. The magnetic field aligns the iron particles, and this alignment causes them to be drawn toward the magnet. This phenomenon demonstrates the ability of magnets to attract and manipulate small magnetic particles.

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External links

Deep

Forceinphysics.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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