Permanent & Induced Magnetism, Magnetic Forces & Fields

• Magnetic forces


  Strongest at the poles of a magnet
• Two magnets brought close together

  Exert a force on each other
• Force between two like poles

  Repulsive, non-contact force
• Force between two unlike poles

  Attractive, non-contact force
• Permanent magnet


  • Produces its own magnetic field
• Induced magnet


  • Becomes magnetic when placed in a magnetic field
• Induced magnetism always causes a force of attraction
• When an induced magnet is removed from a magnetic field, it loses most/all of its magnetism
• Magnetic field


  The region surrounding a magnet where another magnet or magnetic material experiences a non-contact force
• Magnetic materials


  • Iron
  • Steel
  • Cobalt
  • Nickel
• The force between a magnet and a magnetic material is always attractive
• Strength of a magnetic field

  Decreases the further you move away from the magnet producing it
• Direction of a magnetic field

  • In the direction that a north pole would experience a force if placed in the field
  • From the north seeking pole to the south seeking pole of a magnet
• Magnetic compass


  Contains a small bar magnet that points in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field