Magnets: Shapes and Characteristics

Magnets are metals or rocks that create a magnetic field around them. This invisible field is responsible for attracting other magnets and some metals. Many magnets also exist in everyday life, such as fridge magnets, magnetic toys, medical processes, etc. 

Some different shapes of magnetic include bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, cylinder magnetic, sphere magnets and many more. The body of a natural magnet is irregular and odd. Lodestone is an example of a natural magnet. 

Some Common Magnet Shapes 

• Bar magnet 

A bar magnet is a ferromagnet. It is a rectangular piece made from steel, iron or any other ferromagnetic material/ bar magnet that shows the properties of a permanent magnet. A bar magnet has two poles, namely the north and a south pole. If a bar magnet hangs freely, it automatically aligns itself so that the northern pole of the bar magnet faces toward the earth’s magnetic north pole. 

There are two types of bar magnets based on their magnet shape. These two types are:

1. Rectangular bar magnet: Magnetic strength and magnetic field of a rectangular bar magnet are more significant than other magnets. Rectangular bar magnets are in the manufacturing as well as engineering industries. 
2. Cylindrical bar magnet: Cylindrical bar magnets are also known as rod magnets. The magnetism property of this magnet is higher than other magnets as its thickness is more significant than its diameter. Cylindrical bar magnets are popular in research, experimental, education and other industries. 

The magnetic field lines of a bar magnet form closed continuous loops. We can find the direction of these magnetic fields by drawing a tangent at any point on its field. Bar magnets are widely used in telephones, television, radios, medical procedures, labs, etc. 

• Spherical magnets 

The magnet is a spherical magnet in a sphere in form. Spherical magnets are also known as ball magnets. The configuration of the polarity of these magnets is similar to that of earth. The concentration of magnetic fields is higher at the north pole as well as the south pole. Spherical magnets can attach like beads when two or more spherical magnets are together. Spherical or ball-shaped magnets are widely used in consumer products, magic hobbies, electronics, R&D and many more. 

• Horseshoe magnets 

The magnet shape of a horseshoe magnet is U-shaped or shaped like a horseshoe. The Horseshoe magnet was invented in 1825 by William sturgeon. The most significant advantage of a horseshoe magnet is its stronger magnetic field than many others. This is because the magnetic poles of a horseshoe magnet are much closer to each other. Horseshoe magnets pick up large pieces of metals that are heavy. 

• Disc magnets 

A disc magnet is a circular magnet that is thin and flat. The thickness of a disc magnet shoe does not exceed its diameter. It is a common and versatile magnet. If a hole is drilled, then a disc magnet is recessed in the hole. They are used for holding applications as well as in cup assemblies. It has a north pole and a south pole. They are widely used in industries and markets. 

Characteristics and Properties of Magnets 

Some characteristics of magnets are below:

• Magnets attract ferromagnetic substances. 
• Like poles of a magnet repel each other.
• Unlike poles of a magnet attract each other. 
• If a magnet hangs freely, it will automatically come in a north-south direction when it comes to rest. 
• The poles of all the magnets exist in pairs. 
• All the magnets have two poles: the north and the south poles. 
• The magnetic force is more potent at the poles. It is weaker in the middle.
• The magnetic force of repulsion and attraction between two magnetic objects is always inversely proportional to the distance between them. The power will be more potent when things are closer. 

Applications and Uses of magnets 

Some applications, as well as uses of magnets, are given below: 

• Electrical motors have magnets in them responsible for converting power into energy. 
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in hospitals diagnoses the limbs of patients.
• Magnets collect scattered nails on the ground after any repair job.
• The magnetic strip of credit cards, as well as debit cards, is used to store data.
• A magnetic needle in a compass indicates directions.
• A magnet can stick any note on the refrigerator to remember essential things.
• Magnets are used in food processing industries to separate small pieces of metals from food grains.
• Filtering machines have magnets to separate metallic ores from their crushed rocks. 
• Large electrically charged metals in cranes help to move large metallic objects. 
• Magnets are in generators, speakers, television, telephones, radios, etc.
• Magnets are used indoors in refrigerators to keep the door shut. 

Conclusion 

Magnets are metals and rocks that attract other ferromagnetic metals and objects. They have a magnetic field around them responsible for attracting other things. Some examples of these metals are iron and nickel. These common shapes are horseshoe magnets, bar magnets, disc magnets, spherical magnets, ring magnets, cylinder magnets, etc. All the magnets have a north and south pole. Magnets are standard in educational research, industries, commercially, compasses, electronics, etc.