Differences Between Induced Magnetism and Permanent Magnetism

Magnetism is the property by which an object attracts magnetic particles. Magnets enforce these magnetic fields, which can be both permanent and induced. The magnetic field consists of lines rising from the south pole and meeting the north pole. Permanent magnets are magnets we see in our daily life, like bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, and other basic-shaped magnets. The magnetism shown by the field lines of permanent magnets is called permanent magnetism.

On the other hand, induced magnets are objects that are converted into magnets. Thus, their magnetism is temporary and is lost without the support of the cause. These objects are converted into induced magnets by permanent magnets, electromagnetism, or by placing the materials in a magnetic field. 

What is Permanent Magnetism?

We all know that iron is the most used magnetic material found on earth’s crust. Cobalt, steel, and nickel are other magnetic materials found on earth. We see many permanent magnets in our daily life and are quite accustomed to them. Magnetism shown by permanent magnets has some features:

• Naturally, they attract other magnetic particles or materials.
• Permanent magnets produce their magnetic field lines.
• The field lines produced by permanent magnets are permanent; they can not be turned off.
• Permanent magnetism affects other magnets as well. Permanent magnets apply force on other magnets, such as attraction and repulsion. 

What is Induced Magnetism?

As mentioned earlier, induced magnetism is temporary magnetism. Induced magnets are objects that are converted into magnets. There are different methods to do this. Some of the features of induced magnets are:

• They attract other magnetic particles and magnetic materials. 
• Induced magnets do not produce their magnetic field lines. The field lines are induced upon them. 
• The magnetic field lines can be turned off. The magnetic field is temporary. 
• Induced magnets cannot apply force on other magnets. Other magnets attract induced magnets, but they can not repel other magnets. 

Induced magnets are magnetised in three different methods:

1. When we place magnetism-affinity materials in a magnetic field:

When we place certain materials in a magnetic field, they get affected by the magnetic field lines and develop their north and south poles. This development is only temporary and is lost as soon as we remove the material from the magnetic field. This is the reason that they are called temporary magnets.

2. When we bring magnetism-affinity materials close to a permanent magnet

This magnetism process takes place when we bring an unmagnetised magnetic material close to the poles of a permanent magnet. Suppose we bring the material close to the end of the north pole, a north pole will be induced to the farthest corner of the magnetic material, and the close corner will be induced with the south pole. In this way, the whole magnetic material is induced with magnetism and converted to an induced magnet.

3.Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism is an example of induced magnetism. The process of induced magnetism can be clearly described through electromagnetism.

We loop a current-carrying coil around a magnetic material such as a soft iron core. When we pass current through the coil, the soft iron becomes induced with magnetism and shows magnetic properties. Moreover, the magnetic power can be increased by passing more current through the coil and increasing the number of coil loops. 

This process is the classical answer to what is induced magnetism.

Differences Between Induced and Permanent Magnetism

Now let us look at the differences between the two forms of magnetism.

1. Characteristics of magnetic field: Induced magnetism is about magnets that only have their magnetic field for a temporary time. Permanent magnets have their magnetic field, which is permanent. 
2. Power to attract/repel: Induced magnets cannot repel other magnets. They can only attract other magnets. This is an effective way of identifying induced magnets. Permanent magnets can both attract other magnets and repel them. 
3. Source of magnetism: Induced magnetism is not permanent. When we remove the cause of induction, the magnetism does not persist, whereas the magnetism of permanent magnets stays permanently as they produce their own magnetic fields.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered the differences between induced and permanent magnetism. We also answered the question of what induced magnetism is. Let us summarise some important points of this topic which will help us recap the main overview. We talked about permanent magnets and how they are the most basic type of magnets we can find in our daily life. The main feature of permanent magnets is that they retain their magnetism. It should be noted that every material found on the earth’s surface has some degree of affinity toward magnetism. Current, magnetic field and permanent magnets induce magnetism in a magnetic material. One should also go through the difference between electromagnets and permanent magnets.