Magnetism

MEDICAL PHYSICS
 Magnetism
It is an object which exhibits certain
properties
When free to rotate, it will align in the
North-South direction
It has power to attract
It produces magnetism in certain other
materials
Natural Magnet: A type of iron ore with magnetic
properties is found in certain parts of the world and
this forms a natural magnet. The original magnets
called loadstones were of this kind.
Artificial Magnet: it is possible to produce
magnetic properties in certain materials which then
form artificial magnets. Materials which can be
magnetized are iron, steel, and to some extent
nickel and cobalt.
 Types of magnet
Permanent Magnets: The friction between
the molecules is great and the ordered
magnetic effect is retained.
e.g.. Steel
Temporary Magnets; There is little
friction between the molecules, so
although they can easily be influenced in to
an ordered pattern, this pattern will also
be lost very easily. E.g. Soft Iron
 Cont.
Electromagnet;
It consists of a coil of wire wound on
to a soft iron bar.
The magnetic effects of a wire
carrying an electric current help in
creation of Electromagnet.
It exists only for as along as current
flows.
 The Molecular Theory
of Magnetism
No matter how many times a magnet is divided
, it will always present a North and South pole
Molecular magnets;
Non-magnetized state arrangement is
Haphazard
Magnetized State, arranged in an organized
way
 Properties of a Magnet
1. Setting in a North-South direction
2. Behavior of Like and Unlike poles
3. Transmission of properties
1. Magnetization by Contact
2. Magnetic Induction
4. Attraction of Suitable Material
5. Magnetic Field
1. Setting in a North-South
direction
When a magnet is free to rotate it comes
to rest with one end pointing towards the
magnetic north pole of the earth, the
other to the earths magnetic south pole.
North seeking pole---north pole
South seeking pole----south pole
This property is utilized in compass needle
2. Behavior of Like and Unlike poles
Like magnetic poles repell each other
and unlike magnetic poles attract each
other.
Example, hanging magnet repelled by a
same pole of another magnet
 3. Transmission of
properties
A magnet can produce magnetic
properties in a piece of magnetisable
material by
a contact
b induction
 3.a. Magnetization by
Contact
One method of magnetisation by contact is to stroke
a piece of iron or steel with one pole of a bar
magnet. The same pole is used throughout and the
strokes are always carried in the same direction
The end of the piece of material at which the stroke
commences assumes the same magnetic polarity as
the pole with which it is stroked, the end where the
stroke finishes the opposite polarity.
3.b. Magnetic Induction

It is the production of magnetic

properties in one object by a magnet
without contact between them.
If a piece of magnetisable material is
placed close to but not in contact
with one pole of a magnet it is found
to assume magnetic properties ,
 4. Attraction of Suitable

Material
A magnet has the property of attracting objects
of a magnetisable material, and this is due to
magnetic induction .
If a piece a suitable material is placed near to a
magnetic pole the opposite magnetic polarity is
induced in its adjacent end and the unlike
magnetic poles attract each other and the
object moves towards the magnet.
 5. Magnetic field;
The area around a magnet in which
the magnetic forces are apparent is
known as the magnetic field.
 Characteristics of
magnetic field
i. They travel from North-South pole
ii. They attempt to take the shortest
route possible but repel one another
so they in fact become curved
iii. They Travel more easily through
some materials, e.g. metals than
through others.
Magnetic effects of an
Electric current
Permanent magnets arent the only
things that produce magnetic fields.
Moving charges themselves produce
magnetic fields. We just saw that a
current carrying wire feels a force
when inside an external magnetic
field.
 It also produces its own magnetic field. A
long straight wire produces circular field
lines centered on the wire.
To find the direction of the field, we use
another right hand rule: point your thumb
in the direction of the current; the way
your fingers of your right hand wrap is the
direction of the magnetic field. B
diminishes with distance from the wire.
The pics at the right Show cross sections
of a current carrying wire.
 Electromagnet Straight
wire

I out of page, I into page,

B counterclockwise B clockwise

B
 Magnetic field around a
coil of wire
When a current is passed through a coil of wire magnetic
lines of force are set up round each turn of wire and their
combined effect forms a magnetic field around the whole
coil.
The lines of force are crowded together in the center of
the coil, but spread out at the sides and ends, emerging
from one end, which forms the north pole, and returning to
the other, which is the south pole.
 Thus the magnetic poles lie at the ends of
the coil and the magnetic polarity of each
depends on :
1. The direction of the current flow, reversal
of the current reverses the direction of
the magnetic lines of force.
2. The direction in which the coil is wound.
 thanks