10 Science Principles You See in Action Every Day

#7

Magnet (Magnetism): They Are Everywhere

Fridge Magnets

We scoured high and low finding fun and interesting facts about magnets, something most people take for granted. After reading these interesting facts you'll be sure to see just how valuable magnets are to everyday life!

Magnetism is a force that occurs when materials attract or repel other materials at a distance. The most common example of this is probably on display as a magnet stuck to your fridge. A magnet has a strong magnetic field and attracts materials like the iron in your fridge door. Magnets have two poles (north and south) and will be attracted by the opposite pole and repelled by the like pole of the other magnet [source: Kurtus]. The magnet may not stick to a stainless steel fridge because that has different proportions of nickel, which tend to interfere with iron atoms.

Look around your house and in your everyday routine for magnets.  Refrigerator magnets are not the only ones!  Magnets are all around you.

Generators, remote car door locks, hard drives, CD and DVD players, elevators, credit card readers, some toys, some jewelry clasps, electric motors (e.g. washing machines, blenders, vacuum cleaners, etc.), telephones, MRI machines, some door latches, speakers (stereo, car, TV, ear buds, etc.)

USE OF MAGNET IN DIFFERENT FIELD:

Computers and Electronics:

Every computer contains magnets for data storage on hard drives and to display images on computer screens. Magnets are even inside the small speakers attached to computers, televisions and radios. In these electronics, the magnets guide electrons and metals to the appropriate place. Electrons light television and computer screens. 

Industry

Magnets have lots of benefits for the industrial world. Electric generators rely on magnets to convert mechanical energy into electricity, while some motors work in reverse using magnets to convert electricity into mechanical movement. Electromagnets in cranes grab and move large amounts of metal. In sorting machines, magnets separate metallic ores, and in the food industry they pull out small metal bits from grains and other food. Farmers even place magnets in cow's stomachs to catch any pieces of metal the cows eat out in the fields. This keeps it from traveling through and damaging the cow's intestines. Maglev Trains operate using two opposing magnets that cause the train to float, making it extremely maneuverable and fast. Magnet is used by the candy or cold drink vendors to separate the metallic cap from the lots.The most important use of the magnet is the magnetic compass which is used to find the geographical directions.

Health and Medicine:

The use of the magnets in the medical sciences is very affective. We can use magnet therapy for the pain management without any use of the medicines. The magnets can stimulate the nerves in the human body and increase the blood circulation, which carries oxygen to the tissues.The magnet are used to heal the pains and the wounds of the athletes. Doctors uses the magnets to cure arthritis, gout, spondilitis and other problems related to the nervous system. Magnetic mattress are used for relaxing the body. In MRI we use the magnets. Magnets are used to cure the depression, headaches and migraines.  

 Animals and Bird: 

Some animals and bacteria have magnetite in their bodies. A type of mollusk called a chiton even has magnetite in its "teeth," which actually cover its tongue. The magnetite is abrasive and lets the animal scrape algae, but it might also provide a homing sense, enabling chitons to find their way back to certain places where they like to mate and feed. Studies of homing pigeons seem to show that they have a magnetic sense that helps them navigate. Magnetite in the animals' beaks seems to be the key, though how big a role that magnetic sense (magnetoception) plays is unclear.

Home:

Here are just some of the useful ways you can improve your life with magnets:

• Clean up - Spilled some tacks? Don't fret - you don't have to deal with piercing your fingers. Simply hover a magnet over the floor or surface where the pins, tacks or other objects have fallen to pick them up.

Easy storage - There are lots of ways to store or hold important household items using magnets. Try adhering one to your broom halfway down the handle. Then you can place it against the side of your fridge so it's easy to find and won't fall down. You can also attach a magnet to the pointed tip of an ironing board and one to the wall so that when you fold it up, it stays in place.

• Keep drawers shut - If you have a cabinet door or drawer in your home that just won't stay closed, attach a block magnet to the inside panel that the door or drawer rests against with double-sided tape. Then attach another one to the door or drawer itself. The most important thing is that the two magnets are lined up properly. As long as they connect, the door or drawer will stay closed now.

Remove batteries - There's hardly anything more frustrating than trying to get a stuck battery out of its case. In those cases when the battery is being stubborn, just reach for a strong magnet to make things easier - not to mention safer. Place the magnet over the battery and it will pop out effortlessly.

• Secure a trash bag - It's common for trash bags to sink, snag and move out of place, causing garbage to get left in the bin. As long as the bin is made of magnetic metal, you can make sure it stays firmly in place by affixing magnets around the top edges.

Locate a stud in the wall - When you're attempting to hang a photo, wall shelf or other object, it's imperative that you locate the wall stud - in fact, one inch in the wrong place and you might see an ugly hole in the drywall. All you have to do is run a magnet along the wall, though, and when you feel the force of a pull, you've found it. 

• Display your knives - Instead of a costly knife holder, try using bar magnets to display them on your wall in a way that's appealing to the eyes.

Organize your desk - Paper clips can make a mess of your desk, but if you put a magnet inside your drawer, you can ensure they stay in one place.

• Keep cords under control - Managing a multitude of cords can be a hassle, but magnets provide a method for keeping them organized. Unwind a metal paperclip or take the metal spring from a ballpoint pen and wrap it around a cord. Attaching a small strong magnet to the back of your desk will hold the spring - as well as the wire - in place.

Make an invisible tool holder  - Drill a series of holes in the back of a wooden board, insert disc magnets into the holes, mount the wood on a wall and you'll be able to hang all of your favorite tools onto it.