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Application Of Magnets

For Levitation In ancient
times men knew of a special kind of rock that
could pull other rocks of the same kind and pieces
of iron toward themselves. Such rocks were called
lodestones. Today man uses the same force
exerted by electromagnets and permanent magnets
to provide magnetic aide to trains and more
efficient power generators. This report will focus
on the use of magnets in the generation of
electricity and magnetically aided trains.
Magnetism is defined as the force exerted by a
magnetic field. A magnetic field is defined as the
energy exerted by the magnet. It is caused by the
alignment of the domains (sub-atomic particles) of
an object. When the domains are lined up they
produce magnetism. When the domains are not
lined up then they cause the object to be
demagnetized (having no magnetic power).
Materials such as air, wood, copper, and water
do not respond to the power of magnets. We then
ask "Why and how is it possible to make a magnet
out of copper." Good question, and simple
answer. Copper becomes magnetic when an
electric current is run through it while spiraled
around a magnet. Thus it is called an
electromagnet. (Fig. 1) Fig. 1 The following facts
are to state the properties of magnetic force: 1. If
free to rotate, permanent magnets point
approximately north-south. 2. Similar poles repel,
dissimilar poles attract. 3. Permanent magnets only
attract objects with domains. 4. Magnetic forces
act at a distance, moreover through nonmagnetic
barriers. 5. Things attracted to permanent magnets
(other than permanent magnets) also become
temporary magnets. 6. A coil of wire with an
electric current flowing through it becomes an
electromagnet. 7. Putting iron inside the coil
greatly increases the strength of an electromagnet.
8.Changing magnetic fields induce electric currents
in copper and other conductors. Some people like
to talk about animal magnetism as a metaphor.
Most people do not know that it actually exists....