INTRODUCTION TO MAGNETISM

1. Magnetism is the ability of a magnetic material to attract other magnetic materials.

2. Poles are portions in a magnet, usually near the ends where the magnetic force of attraction is greatest. Like poles repel; unlike poles attract. Monopoles do not exist.
3. There are two main theories of magnetism: (a) atoms arranged themselves into magnetic domains and (b) magnetism results from moving and spinning electrons.
4. Moving charges produce a magnetic field. Electric current, which consists of moving charges produce a magnetic field.
5. There are three common types of magnetism and materials are classified according to the type of magnetism they exhibit. Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted by a magnet,
paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted by a magnet, and diamagnetic materials are repelled by a magnet.
6. Magnetic field is a space around a magnetic material that has the ability to exert a magnetic force on another magnetic material. The strength of a magnetic field is defined in terms of
force exerted on a charged particle moving in the field.
The direction of magnetic field at any point is the direction indicated by the north pole of a compass placed at that point. A magnetic field is made up of lines of force. These lines of force
emerge from north pole to south pole.
The magnitude of the magnetic field maybe determined using Ampere’s law. Right hand rule is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field.