Magnet Basics
What are the two poles of a magnet called?
North and South poles
What do magnetic field lines show?
The direction and strength of the magnetic force
What is an electromagnet made of?
A coil of wire around an iron core with electric current flowing through it
Opposite magnetic poles do what?
Attract each other
What part of a compass is a magnet?
The needle
True or False: Like poles attract each other.
False (Like poles repel)
Where is the magnetic field strongest on a magnet?
At the poles
What happens to an electromagnet when the electric current is turned off?
It loses its magnetism
What happens when you bring two north poles together?
They repel
What type of magnet is created by an electric current?
Electromagnet
What happens when you cut a magnet in half?
Each piece becomes a smaller magnet with both poles
What direction do magnetic field lines flow outside the magnet?
From North to South
How can you make an electromagnet stronger?
Add more coils or increase the current
What determines the force between two magnets?
Distance and strength of poles
Name one way magnets are used in technology.
Examples: Speakers, credit cards, MRI machines
What type of materials can be magnetized?
Iron, cobalt, and nickel
What tool can be used to show the pattern of magnetic field lines?
Iron filings
Name one everyday device that uses an electromagnet.
Examples: Doorbell, electric motor, relay, crane
How can you tell if a metal is magnetic?
Test it with a magnet
What is the main difference between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet?
Permanent magnets always have magnetism; electromagnets need electricity
The region around a magnet where forces act is called what?
Magnetic field
Earth itself acts like what giant object. What can this object called?
A bar magnet
What kind of energy is converted into magnetic energy in an electromagnet?
Electrical energy
What will happen if a magnet is heated too much?
It can lose its magnetism
How do magnetic strips on credit or debit cards store information?
They store data using tiny magnetic particles that can be magnetized in different directions to represent digital information.