How do magnets work?

Magnetism is a fascinating phenomenon that has fascinated humans for centuries from the discovery of magnetic rocks to the use of electromagnets in daily life. Magnets work by creating a magnetic field, which can attract or repel other magnetic materials. The magnetic field is created by the motion of charged particles, like electrons, within atoms or molecules.

Magnets can be classified into two types: permanent magnets and electromagnets. Permanent magnets are those that produce their magnetic field without external influences, while electromagnets produce a magnetic field when an electric current runs through a wire.

Permanent magnets are commonly made from materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel, which have magnetic properties that remain even without an external magnetic field. On the other hand, electromagnets can be made using temporary magnetic materials, like soft iron or steel, that become magnetized when an electric current flows through them.

At the atomic level, magnets work because of the electrons' behavior. Electrons possess two types of motion: spin and orbital. Spin is similar to the spinning of a top on its axis, while the orbit is the path which the electron follows around the nucleus. When an electron in an atom has both spin and orbital motion, they create a magnetic field with a north and a south pole, just like a bar magnet.

Magnetic fields can be used in various applications like motors, generators, speakers, and data storage devices. Understanding the science behind magnetism can help us design better devices and technologies in the future.