The effect of temperature on magnetic strength
Magnets have became a part of our life now. We grew up playing with magnets. Our fridge, computers, discs etc. contain magnets. We all are surrounded by magnets . The modern life is incomplete without them. What are magnets? Can temperature have any effect ton them?
WHAT ARE MAGNETS?
Magnets are frequently used in daily life, even Earth itself is a magnet. A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field. Some are permanent, they hold their magnetism with out any external current while others are temporary. A magnet can be created by exposing a piece of metal containing iron to a number of situations i.e repeatedly jarring the metal heating to high temperature. Materials which can be magnetized, which are also ones that are strongly attracted to the magnets are called ferromagnetic.
A magnetic field is the space surrounding a magnet in which magnetic force is exerted.The magnetic lines of force do not intersect each other. These lines originate from the north pole of the magnet and continue to the south pole.
TEMPERATURE Vs. MAGNETIC STRENGTH
Let's perform two experiments to know about the effect of temperature on magnets, cold process and hot process.
COLD PROCESS
1. Take a magnet and place it in a bowl full of paper clips.
2. Count the number of clips attached.
3. Remove the clips and place the magnet in fridge.
4. Set the lowest temperature possible.
5. Wait for approximately 20 minuets for the magnet to reach the temperature of the fridge.
6. Take the magnet out and place it in the same bowl of paper clips.
7. Allow the magnet to rest for five minuits.
8. Now count the number of clips attracted.
9. Take 3-4 readings with increasing temperature.
HOT PROCESS
1. Repeat the step 1 and 2 of the cold process.
2. Remove the clips and place the magnet in an oven.
3. Set the highest temperature possible.
4. Wait for approximately 20 minutes for the magnet to reach the temperature of the oven.
5. Take out the magnet and place it in a bowl of paper clips.
6. Allow the magnet to rest for five Minuits.
7. Now count the number of clips.
8. Take 3-4 readings with decreasing temperature.
WHAT DO WE OBSERVE?
After taking the readings we will observe that cold strengthens the magnets while heat can result in the loss of magnetic strength. Too much heat can completely ruin the magnet. A magnetic material should maintain a balance between temperature and magnetic domains. This balance is destabilized when exposed to extreme temperature.
Graphically the results will resemble an exponential curve with magnetic force decreasing as temperature increases. The independent variable is temperature so we will take it on the x-axis and the dependent variable is magnetism. Magnetism can be calculated by using the amount of paper clips that the magnet is able to collect at each measured temperature.
WHY ?
When we heat is provided the atoms speed up i.e their kinetic energy increases, the percentage of magnetic domain spinning in the same direction decreases. This lack of cohesion weakens the magnetic force and eventually demagnetizes it entirely.
When a magnet is exposed to cold, the atoms slow down i.e their kinetic energy decreases, so the magnetic domains are aligned and the magnetic strength increases.
WHAT ARE MAGNETS?
Magnets are frequently used in daily life, even Earth itself is a magnet. A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field. Some are permanent, they hold their magnetism with out any external current while others are temporary. A magnet can be created by exposing a piece of metal containing iron to a number of situations i.e repeatedly jarring the metal heating to high temperature. Materials which can be magnetized, which are also ones that are strongly attracted to the magnets are called ferromagnetic.
A magnetic field is the space surrounding a magnet in which magnetic force is exerted.The magnetic lines of force do not intersect each other. These lines originate from the north pole of the magnet and continue to the south pole.
TEMPERATURE Vs. MAGNETIC STRENGTH
Let's perform two experiments to know about the effect of temperature on magnets, cold process and hot process.
COLD PROCESS
1. Take a magnet and place it in a bowl full of paper clips.
2. Count the number of clips attached.
3. Remove the clips and place the magnet in fridge.
4. Set the lowest temperature possible.
5. Wait for approximately 20 minuets for the magnet to reach the temperature of the fridge.
6. Take the magnet out and place it in the same bowl of paper clips.
7. Allow the magnet to rest for five minuits.
8. Now count the number of clips attracted.
9. Take 3-4 readings with increasing temperature.
HOT PROCESS
1. Repeat the step 1 and 2 of the cold process.
2. Remove the clips and place the magnet in an oven.
3. Set the highest temperature possible.
4. Wait for approximately 20 minutes for the magnet to reach the temperature of the oven.
5. Take out the magnet and place it in a bowl of paper clips.
6. Allow the magnet to rest for five Minuits.
7. Now count the number of clips.
8. Take 3-4 readings with decreasing temperature.
WHAT DO WE OBSERVE?
After taking the readings we will observe that cold strengthens the magnets while heat can result in the loss of magnetic strength. Too much heat can completely ruin the magnet. A magnetic material should maintain a balance between temperature and magnetic domains. This balance is destabilized when exposed to extreme temperature.
Graphically the results will resemble an exponential curve with magnetic force decreasing as temperature increases. The independent variable is temperature so we will take it on the x-axis and the dependent variable is magnetism. Magnetism can be calculated by using the amount of paper clips that the magnet is able to collect at each measured temperature.
WHY ?
When we heat is provided the atoms speed up i.e their kinetic energy increases, the percentage of magnetic domain spinning in the same direction decreases. This lack of cohesion weakens the magnetic force and eventually demagnetizes it entirely.
When a magnet is exposed to cold, the atoms slow down i.e their kinetic energy decreases, so the magnetic domains are aligned and the magnetic strength increases.
Comments
Really good stuff