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Electricity & Physics

Magnetic Field

(B-field)

Magnetic Field

Description

What is a magnetic field?

A most simple explanation is that a magnetic field is an invisible force existing around certain materials or electric currents. You don’t see it, but you can see or feel how it affects things. Like, if you hold a magnet close to some iron or steel object, it would be drawn towards that. It is this invisible force that attracts things that is known as the magnetic field.

This is the kind of world where magnetic fields surround all of us. They’re caused by magnets, wires, even the ground. Anyways, let’s talk about what magnetic fields mean and how they function and where we see them in real life.

What is a magnetic field?

The magnetic field is that space around a magnet where the forces of the magnet can be felt. If a small piece of metal such as iron is placed in that region, it is attracted towards the magnet or it is repelled, depending on how it has been placed.

Scientists use imaginary lines called magnetic field lines to show how the magnetic field changes. Magnetic field lines always go from the north pole to the south pole of a magnet.

What is a field of magnetism?

To create a magnetic field, do one of the following:

Permanent magnets are objects that produce a magnetic field of attraction continuously; they may be natural or man-made. The latter may be exemplified by a bar magnet, which possesses a north and south pole and keeps the same magnetic field until it is exposed to extreme heat or is broken.

When electricity flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field in and around the wire-this is how electromagnets work. The higher the electric current, the stronger the magnetic field.

This relationship between electricity and magnetism is known as electromagnetism. Earth also has a magnetic field around it.

Comparatively, Earth is a giant magnet. It generates a magnetic field serving as a barrier to hazardous solar radiation. Maybe, life requires the magnetic field of Earth to be in operation. Magnetic needle compasses are functional because of this naturally occurring magnetic field. A compass’s needle points toward the Earth’s magnetic north pole.

How strong a magnetic field is can be gauged in what way?

The Tesla (T) is just a measure of magnetic induction. The Gauss (G) is another such unit in high reference specifically for minute magnetic fields. 1 Tesla equals 10,000 Gauss.

You can measure magnetic field strength with a gaussmeter or magnetometer. Scientists and engineers use them in laboratories and industries to check the proper working of machines.

Mention lines of flux around a permanent magnet.

Hence, let us try to follow where this magnetic force is now moving away from the magnet by observing these lines of the magnetic field. These lines say some important things: From north to south never meet In places where they are closer, there the magnetic field is stronger. Curled in circular shapes

If you surround a magnet with iron filings, you can see how these lines look. The filings will align with the direction of the magnetic force, indicating the manner and direction in which it is acting.

Kinds of Magnetic Materials

Various materials react distinctly when they come into contact with a magnetic field. There are three categories:

Ferromagnetic materials have a great ability to attract magnets. some examples are nickel, iron, and cobalt.

Paramagnetic Materials: A type of weak attraction to magnets has these materials. Aluminum is an excellent example of this.

Diamagnetic Materials: These materials are only slightly repelled by magnets. Both plastic and copper are in this group.

Ways You can Use Magnetic Fields in Your Life

Magnetic fields, as produced by magnets, are not just useful in science. They are used very often in everyday life:

  • In electric motors through the flow of electricity
  • Generators: Coils of wire rotating while being subjected to a magnetic field are what generate electricity.
  • MRI machines: These are scanners found in hospitals that employ magnetic resonance or powerful magnetic fields for imaging.
  • Data Storage: Data is stored magnetically in a hard disk drive and even on a credit card, just as a magnetic stripe card.
  • Involving magnets and coils, speakers and microphones turn sound into electric signals and back again.

It’s an invisible force – the magnetic field. It’s created by magnets or electric currents and is a big part of lots of systems out there – ones found in nature and ones built by people. For instance, it helps compasses point north and creates electricity in powerplants. We can’t see magnetic fields yet we use them every day, at work, home, school, or at the hospital and understanding magnetic field operations counts as an understanding of how numerous modern technologies that streamline life function.