Unit 20

N
NW
NE

Contents W E
20.1 Materials and Magnetism
20.2 Magnetic Induction SW SE

20.3 Magnetisation and Demagnetisation S

20.4 Magnetic Field
20.5 Magnetic properties of Iron and Steel
Chapter 20
At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

• state the properties of magnets

• describe induced magnetism

• distinguish between magnetic & non-magnetic materials

• describe electrical methods of magnetisation and demagnetism.

• describe the plotting of magnetic field lines with a compass.

• distinguish between the properties and uses of temporary magnet.

(e.g. iron) and permanent magnets (e.g steel)
Unit 20.1
Discovery of the phenomenon

About 900 years ago, the Chinese found that a dish carrying
a certain type of rock known as magnetite would constantly
float in water in a North-South direction.
Unit 20.1
1. Magnetic materials

Magnetite consists of an iron oxide.

Natural magnet attracts certain materials:

• cobalt
• nickel
• iron
• steel
• alloys of any of the above

These materials are called Magnetic materials.

Unit 20.1
Non-Magnetic materials

Natural magnet cannot attract other materials.

These include:
• copper
• brass
• wood
• plastics
• materials other than iron, steel, cobalt, nickel

These materials are called Non-Magnetic materials.

Unit 20.1
2. Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

Unit 20.1
2. Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

a. Attract magnetic materials

Unit 20.1
2. Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

b. They have 2 magnetic poles;

the North and South seeking poles.
These are the strongest parts of the magnets.
The poles are found very near (but not at) the ends of
the magnet.
Unit 20.1
2. Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

c. If allowed to swing freely a magnet will come to rest

with one end pointing towards the Earth’s North pole,
the other end pointing towards the Earth’s South pole.
cylindrical rod made of non-magnetic material
 Unit 20.1
2. Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

c. Hence, a magnet can be used as a compass for

navigational purposes. A free hanging magnet will rest
in a north-south direction.

cylindrical rod made of non-magnetic material

NW
W

N
SW

NE
S

E
SE
Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

d. Law of magnetic poles:

Take a look at the following actions taken during an experiment. What
can you conclude ?
(Step 2)
(Step 1)
Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

d. Law of magnetic poles:

Take a look at the following actions taken during an experiment. What
can you conclude?
(Step 3) (Step 4)
N

N
N S
S

S
S
N
Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets

All magnets exhibit the following properties:

d. Law of magnetic poles:

Conclusion: Like poles repel, Unlike poles attract.

** (Similar to the law of electrostatic: Like charges attract and unlike
charges repel.)
** (Similar to the law of electrostatic: Like charges
repel and unlike charges attract.)
Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets

Eg.1: A X Y

In an experiment conducted to test if an object is a magnet,

one end of this object (A) is brought near
one end (X) of a suspended bar magnet.
Attraction occurs.
Can you conclude that the object is a magnet?
Properties of magnets

Eg.1: A X Y
In an experiment conducted to test if an object is a magnet,
one end of this object (A) is brought near
one end (X) of a suspended bar magnet.
Attraction occurs.
Can you conclude that the object is a magnet?

Answer:
Not yet.
The object could have been a magnet with end A an opposite pole
to that of end X of the magnet;
Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets

Eg. 1:
A X Y
In an experiment conducted to test if an object is a magnet,
one end of this object (A) is brought near
one end (X) of a suspended bar magnet.
Attraction occurs.
Can you conclude that the object is a magnet?

Answer:
Not yet.
The object could have been a magnet with end A an opposite pole
to that of end X of the magnet; or
The object could just have been an ordinary magnetic material
(unmagnetised yet).
Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets

Eg. 2: A YY X

In the same experiment,

The same end of this object (A) is brought near
the other end (Y) of a suspended bar magnet.

(i) If attraction occurs again, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
(ii) If repulsion occurs instead, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
 Unit 20.1
A YY X
Properties of magnets

Eg 2:

In the same experiment,

The same end of this object (A) is brought near
the other end (Y) of a suspended bar magnet.

Answer:
(i) If attraction occurs again, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
No, the object is just an unmagnetised magnetic material as
no repulsion between the object & bar magnet was observed.
(ii) If repulsion occurs instead, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
 Unit 20.1
Properties of magnets
A YY X
Question 2:

In the same experiment,

The same end of this object (A) is brought near
the other end (Y) of a suspended bar magnet.

Answer:
(i) If attraction occurs again, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
No, the object is just an unmagnetised magnetic material as
no repulsion between the object & bar magnet was observed.
(ii) If repulsion occurs instead, can you conclude now that the object is a magnet?
Yes, it is a magnet.
Since only like poles repel (A repels Y)
& unlike poles attract (A attracts X),
the object is indeed a magnet.
Unit 20.1

Properties of magnets

Remember:

Repulsion is the only test to confirm that an object is a

magnet i.e. Repulsion is the only true test for
polarity.
 Unit 20.1: Magnets and Materials
Test Yourself 20.1
1. Give four examples each of magnetic and
non-magnetic materials.

Answer:

Magnetic: cobalt, nickel, iron and steel

Non-magnetic: copper, aluminum, wood and

plastics
Unit 20.1: Magnets and Materials
Test Yourself 20.1
2. State the properties of magnets.

Answer:
1. A freely suspended magnet always point
in the North-South direction.
2. They have magnetic poles (i.e. N-pole
and S-pole).
3. They obey the law of magnetism, i.e.
like poles repel and unlike poles repel.
Unit 20.2
3. Induced Magnetism
N S Far apart

Permanent magnet Soft-iron bar

Induced Magnetism

N S Far apart

Permanent magnet Soft-iron bar

N S N S
Permanent magnet brought Soft-iron bar becomes an
near to soft-iron bar induced magnet

When a non-magnetised magnetic material is brought near to (or touches) a magnet,

the material itself will become a weak magnet.
This is called induced magnetism
(which means the material has magnetism induced in it).
Induced Magnetism

N S Far apart

Permanent magnet Soft-iron bar

N S N S
Permanent magnet brought Soft-iron bar becomes an
near to soft-iron bar induced magnet

Notice that magnetic induction, an opposite pole is always induced.

In other words, 2 unlike poles facing each other is observed
during magnetic induction.
Induced Magnetism
permanent magnet induced magnet

N S N S

If placed sufficiently near to each other,

attraction occurs between the permanent & induced magnets.
 Unit 20.2
Induced Magnetism
permanent magnet induced magnet

N S N S

Induced magnetism in magnetic materials is the reason that

these non-magnetised objects are able to be attracted to magnets.
Unit 20.2
Induced Magnetism

Here is another example of induced magnetism.

Unit 20.2
Induced Magnetism
Using the theory of induced magnetism,
explain how it is possible to get several iron
nails to stick together
(as shown in the diagram below).

Fig. 20.11 Safety pins attracted by

a magnet become induced magnets
and can even attract other pins. Do
you notice that the pins at the
lower ends tend to fan apart? Why?
Unit 20.2: Magnetic Induction
Magnetic Induction
„ Magnetic induction is the process of
inducing magnetism in ferromagnetic
materials.
„ It can also occur without any contact with
the magnet.

Fig. 20.12 Magnetic induction can happen at a distance.

Unit 20.2: Magnetic Induction
Test Yourself 20.2
1. In an experiment with a bar magnet, a piece of
wood is held between the N pole of a magnet and
two iron nails (Fig. 20.15).
(a) Although wood is a non-magnetic material, the
two nails are attracted when the wood is held
between the magnet and the nails. Suggest a
reason for this.
(b) It is observed that the pointed tips of the iron
Fig. 20.15
nails point away from each other. Why is this so?
Answer:
(a) The magnet has a very strong magnetic field that is able to pass
through the wood.
(b) The iron nails become induced magnets. The pointed tips of the
iron nails are like poles (N pole) and thus they will repel each
other.
 Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
4. Theory of Magnetism
„ When a bar magnet is cut into many small
pieces, every piece becomes a magnet
itself.
„ The bar magnet is made up of many such
‘tiny magnets’, or magnetic domains.

Fig. 20.16 Each resulting piece of the cut bar magnet is a magnet itself.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
What are magnetic domains?

„ The orbiting motion of electrons in a

magnetic material makes each atom an
atomic magnet.

„ A group of atomic magnets pointing in

the same direction is called a magnetic
domain.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
What are magnetic domains?
„ In an unmagnetised bar, the magnetic
domains point in random directions.
„ The magnetic effects of the atomic
magnets cancel out so there is no resultant
magnetic effect.

Fig. 20.17 An unmagnetised bar – the magnetic domains

point in random directions.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
What are magnetic domains?
„ In a permanent magnet, magnetic
domains point in the same direction.
„ The atomic magnets at the ends of the bar
magnet fan out due to repulsion between
like poles.

Fig. 20.18 In a permanent magnet, the magnetic domains

point in the same direction.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation

The theory of magnetic domains can be used

to explain the following phenomena:

a. Magnetic saturation
„ When all the magnetic domains point in
the same direction, the magnet is
magnetically saturated and cannot be any
stronger.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
b. Demagnetisation of magnets

„ Demagnetisation is the process of

removing magnetism from a magnet (e.g.
heating and hammering).

„ Cause the atoms of the magnet to vibrate

vigorously, mixing up the directions of
the magnetic domains.
Unit 20.3: Magnetisation and Demagnetisation
c. Storage of magnets using soft iron
keepers
„ Over time, magnets placed side by
side will become weaker.
„ The magnetic domains will be altered
due to the repulsion between the ‘free’
poles.

Fig. 20.19 Soft iron

„ To prevent this, bar magnets are keeps help permanent
stored in pairs with soft iron keepers bar magnets stay
strongly magnetised.
across the ends of the bar magnets.
„ The poles of the bar magnets are in
closed loops with no ‘free’ poles.
Unit 20.3
5. Magnetisation
There are several ways to magnetise materials.
Unit 20.3
ai. Magnetisation by Stroking (Single-Touch)
This method is derived from applying the lessons learnt on
magnetic induction.
Note the polarities of both the permanent magnet & steel bar that is to be
magnetised.
This form of magnetism gained is weak but permanent.
Unit 20.3
aii. Magnetisation by Stroking (Double-Touch)
This method is also derived from applying the lessons learnt on
magnetic induction.
2 permanent magnets are used in this method,
as compared to one being used in the single-touch stroking method.
Note the polarities of both permanent magnets.
Once again, do take note of the polarities of the permanent magnets &
their induced ends of the steel bar.
This form of magnetism gained is also weak but permanent.
Unit 20.3

b. Magnetisation by Heating & Hammering

A magnet can be made by first placing a steel bar in a magnetic field, then
heating it to a high temperature and then finally hammering it as it cools.

This can be done by laying the magnet in a North-South direction in the Earth’s
magnetic field.
However, the magnet produced is not very strong but permanent.
Unit 20.3
c. Magnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a Solenoid
Place the steel object inside a coil of wire (a solenoid).
Pass a direct current (d.c.) through the solenoid for a few seconds.
A magnetic field is produced on the solenoid.
As such, the steel rod is now placed inside a magnetic field.
When the current is turned off the steel rod is found to be magnetised.
Note: the d.c. flows through the solenoid. It does not flow through the steel rod.

steel rod

direct
current
Unit 20.3
Magnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a Solenoid
The polarity of the newly-formed magnet can be determined using the
Right-hand Grip Rule. (aka Maxwell Corkscrew Rule)
(Fingers coiled round & following the direction of the flow of d.c. in the solenoid;
the thumb will point in a direction indicating the end which becomes the N-pole).
Unit 20.3
Magnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a Solenoid
An alternative method of determining the polarity:
The polarity of the newly-formed magnet can also be determined using the method:
Take a look at which way the d.c. is flowing at each end.
If the direction of flow is anticlockwise, the end is a N-pole.
If the direction of flow is clockwise, the end is a S-pole.
Looking through
Looking through end B
end A steel rod

direct aNticlockwise
clockwiSe current direction flow of d.c.
direction flow of d.c.
Unit 20.3
Magnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a Solenoid
The magnetism produced using this method is strong & permanent.

steel rod

direct
current
Unit 20.3
6a. Demagnetisation by Heating & Hammering

Heat a magnet.

Then hammer it as it is allowed to cool in the absence of a magnetic field

i.e. facing East-West .
Unit 20.3
b. Demagnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a Solenoid

(700 turns)

magnet
withdrawn
to a few metres
Unit 20.3
Demagnetisation by the use of an
Electrically-generated magnetic field of a
Solenoid (700 turns)
magnet
Place magnet in a solenoid. withdrawn
to a
Pass an alternating current (a.c.) few metres
through the solenoid (not through the magnet).

Slowly remove the magnet from the solenoid with the a.c. supply still on.
Remove to a great distance.

Repeat the procedure for as many times as it is necessary.

Each time it is done, the magnet’s strength weakens.

Finally, it is completely demagnetised.

Unit 20.4
6. Magnetic Field
A magnetic field is the region where a magnetic force is exerted
on any magnetic objects placed within the influence of the field.

Showing the Magnetic Field Using Iron a Filings

One method to observe the shape of the magnetic field is by
sprinkling
iron filings onto a piece of paper placed on top of the magnet.
Unit 20.4
Plotting Compass
A compass is a freely suspended. A compass is normally drawn with the
N-pole shown as an arrowhead. It can be used to find the direction of a
magnetic field.

Remember the N-pole of the compass points to the Earth’s N-pole.

The Earth’s magnetic field is produced by electric currents at its core. It

is similar to the field that would be due to an imaginary large bar
magnet in the Earth’s centre.
N
N
W E
S S
Unit 20.4

S N

What do you think are the directions

that the compass would point in if placed in the
ten different points around a strong permanent magnet.
Unit 20.4

S N

Did you get them all correct?

Unit 20.4
Magnetic Field Lines
Magnetic field lines are imaginary &
represent the direction of the magnetic field.

Magnetic field lines are also known as lines of force

because if magnetic objects are placed in the region of the field lines,
the magnetic objects will experience a magnetic force directed along the
same lines.

By convention, the magnetic field line is the path along which

an imaginary “free” N-pole will move if placed along this line.
magnetic fields

photographs of magnetic field patterns formed by

iron filings for various arrangements of magnets
Unit 20.4
Neutral Point
Whenever a point in space has no magnetic field
the magnetic field due to one magnet cancels out that due to another magnet,
this point is known as a Neutral Point.

neutral point
Unit 20.4
Plotting Magnetic Field Lines With A Plotting Compass
The lines can be investigated to find their path and direction
using a plotting compass.

Place a plotting compass at point A.

Note the direction it points at.
Mark a 2nd point next to the N-pole 2
of the plotting compass.
Unit 20.4
Plotting Magnetic Field Lines With A Plotting Compass
The lines can be investigated to find their path and direction
using a plotting compass.

Place a plotting compass at point A.

Note the direction it points at.
Mark a 2nd point next to the N-pole
of the plotting compass.

These steps are repeated as shown.

The points are all joined using
a pencil.

All these steps are repeated for other points

next to the N-pole of the magnet.
Unit 20.4
Examples of Magnetic Fields

(i) A permanent bar magnet.

Unit 20.4
Examples of Magnetic Fields

(ii) 2 opposite poles facing each other

Unit 20.4
Examples of Magnetic Fields

(iii) 2 like poles facing each other (e.g. 2 N-poles)

Unit 20.4
iv. neutral Point
If a plotting compass is placed at the neutral point
(i.e. X), how will it point? Earth’s
N Magnetic
field
Unit 20.4
iv. neutral Point
It will point in the same direction
as that of earth’s magnetic field. Earth’s
N Magnetic
field
Unit 20.4
Properties of Field Lines

• Lines always start and end on the magnet.

• The lines travel from the N-pole to the S-pole.
. • The lines never cross or touch each other.
• The closer the lines the stronger the field.
(More magnetic field lines do not necessarily mean
stronger magnetic field)
Unit 20.4
Try labelling the poles of the following magnets.
Unit 20.4
These are possible answers.

N S
N S N N
N S

N S N
N S
S N S
Unit 20.4
These are also possible answers.

S N
S N S S
S N

S N S
S N
N S N
Unit 20.5
Although iron and steel are both magnetic materials,
their properties are different.

•Two unmagnetised rods have a magnet placed on top

of them.

•Iron filings are supported from the induced magnets

Unit 20.5

•Note that the induced magnet made of iron attracts more iron filings than
the induced magnet made of steel
Unit 20.5
•The permanent bar magnet is then removed.
Unit 20.5
•Note that the iron bar no longer has any iron filings attracted to it.
•The steel bar, however, still has some iron filings attracted to it.
Unit 20.5
Magnetic properties of Iron & Steel:

a. Iron is easily magnetised, whereas Steel is not easily magnetised.

Unit 20.5
Magnetic properties of Iron & Steel:

b. Iron is easily demagnetised, whereas Steel is not easily demagnetised.

Unit 20.5
Magnetic properties of Iron & Steel:

Iron is thus known as a soft magnetic material

(easily magnetised & easily demagnetised).
Unit 20.5
Magnetic properties of Iron & Steel:

Steel is however known as a hard magnetic material

(difficult to magnetise & difficult to demagnetise).

Thus iron is used in making electromagnets & steel is thus used in

making permanent magnets.
 Unit 20.5 Magnetisation
Making a material permanently magnetic is called magnetisation.
Some materials are easier to magnetised than others.

Iron
a. Soft magnetic material
b. Gains or loses its
magnetism easily
c. Commonly used as a
core of electromagnet.
Steel
a. Hard magnetic material
b. Retains its magnetism
longer. ‘Hard’ to magetise ;
‘hard’ to demagnetise.
c. Good for making
permanent magnet.
Unit 20.5: Temporary and Permanent Magnets
Uses of permanent magnets
„ Moving coil ammeter
It consists of a coil suspended in the magnetic field of a
permanent magnet. When a current flows into and out of the
coil, a turning effect is produced on the coil and the pointer
attached to it will move.

Fig. 20.43 Cutaway view of a moving-coil ammeter

Unit 20.5: Temporary and Permanent Magnets
Uses of permanent magnets
„ Magnetic door catch
Magnetic strips are fitted to the doors of
freezers and refrigerators to keep the
doors closed.

Fig. 20.44 A magnetic door catch

Unit 20.5
Electromagnets have many uses too.
Electromagnets

The electric-bell
Unit 20.5
Electromagnets have many uses too.
Electromagnets
A simple magnetic-relay
Electromagnet:
A solenoid is made by winding many turns of insulated
copper wire around a soft iron core (e.g. an iron nail).
The core becomes a magnet temporarily whenever a
current starts or stops to flow in the solenoid. An direct
current supply works effectively.

nail is magnetised when nail is demagnetised when

the switch is closed the switch is opened
 magnetic properties of matter
Electromagnets
The magnetic strength of an electromagnet can be increased
by
ƒ passing a larger current through the solenoid
ƒ increasing the number of turns of the solenoid
ƒ inserting a core of soft magnetic materials

nail is magnetised when nail is demagnetised when

the switch is closed the switch is opened