Magnetism (Edexcel IGCSE Physics)
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The Law of Magnetism
Poles of a Magnet
- The ends of a magnet are called poles
- Magnets have two poles: a north and a south
Poles of a Magnet
The Law of Magnetism
- When two magnets are held close together, there will be an attractive or repulsive force between the magnets depending on how they are arranged:
Opposite poles attract; like poles repel
- The Law of Magnetism states that:
- Two like poles (S and S or N and N) repel each other
- Two unlike poles (S and N) attract each other
- The attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is an example of a non-contact force
Magnetic Materials
- Magnetic materials can be soft or hard
- Magnetically soft materials (e.g. iron):
- Are easy to magnetise
- Easily lose their magnetism (temporarily magnetised)
- Magnetically hard materials (e.g. steel):
- Are difficult to magnetise
- Do not easily lose their magnetism (permanently magnetised)
- Permanent magnets are made out of magnetically hard materials
- Electromagnets are made out of magnetically soft materials
- This means that electromagnets can be made magnetic or non-magnetic as an when required
A steel pin will be attracted when an electromagnet switches on but not when it switches off. It is always attracted to a permanent magnet
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