10 Amazing Facts About Magnetism

Magnets are not just pieces of metal that attract each other. There is a whole science behind them. In fact, magnetism is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, gravity being the weakest. Some scholars believe magnetism and gravity are somewhat related and there is evidence that proves this. However mass does not affect magnetism which disproves this theory. 

1. If you cut a magnet in half, you get 2 smaller magnets as a result, each with their own north and south pole.

2. The north pole on a magnet points towards the north pole on the earth. This is because they are both giant magnets and are aligning themselves together. This is how a compass works.

3. To make a new magnet, take one you already have and then rub it on a new piece of metal. This process is called magnetisation and will turn any piece of metal into a magnet.

4. Electromagnets are not magnetic all the time. If you pass electricity through a nail wrapped in a copper wire, it turns into a magnet. Once you stop the flow of electricity – it is just a nail and wire again.

5. A magnetic field is an invisible area around every magnet that attracts metals and other magnets to it. That is why you can slowly push 2 magnets together and they will jump to each other, due to them entering their magnetic fields.

6. The magnetic field made by The Earth is so big and strong, that it stretches out into space. The Earth is made from metals and materials like iron, which makes it just like a smaller magnet you might have at home.

7. Fridge magnets are used all over the world in families homes and in America, are seen on an average of 20 times per day!

8. The power of a magnet is measured in Tesla (which was the name of a scientist who specialised in electricity). Even though The Earth is massive and is a giant magnet, it is around 1000 times weaker than a small magnet you might have at home.

9. Magnetism was discovered and used over 800 years ago in ancient Greece and China. They even had their own compasses.

10. Iron is the best metal to use as a magnet as it is naturally magnetic. Others are nickel and cobalt, but if you have a magnet at home, it is most likely made from iron or ferrites, which is a metal made from many different elements.

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