2006-09-19 16:19:12 · 6 answers · asked by dB 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
A magnet can only lift ferromagnetic materials; those containing iron, nickel or cobalt. What happens is that the magnet temporarily induces a magnetic field of the opposite polarity into the piece of metal it is trying to pick up. So we now have a situation where there is the north pole of the magnet and the temporary south pole of the piece of metal, the south pole of the magnet and the temporary north pole of the piece of metal. Opposite poles attract (no political correctness in nature!) and the metal is attracted to the magnet.
If a material is antimagnetic or paramagnetic, other things happen. You might want to look up definitions of those words, as well as induce, retentivity, and permeability. You are in for a fascinating world of discovery about magnetism!
Jimbo is a little off on his answer-- he is thinking electric field, not magneitc field.
2006-09-19 16:32:24 · answer #1 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where 'Jimbo' is getting his info, but all I got to say is... "Huh?"
The 'poles' of a magnet have the electrons of the material, (ferrous type material (iron, nickel, cobalt)) spinning different directions around their respective nucleus's. All of the material have the same # of protons, and electrons. And the magnetic force that these spinning electrons produce is stronger than the gravitational force holding down the object on the table. There are 4 fundamental forces in nature: the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, the electro-magnetic force and the gravitational force. They are in that order of strength. The gravitational force is the weakest force in nature. In fact, it's so weak, that gravity is thousands of times less powerful than all the other forces.
2006-09-19 16:40:50 · answer #2 · answered by jwaitebsgl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a lack of protons in a negative pole of a magnet, and there are a lack of electrons in the positive pole of a magnet. Each pole attracts the other to achieve a balance of protons and electrons? maybe.
2006-09-19 16:31:23 · answer #3 · answered by Jimbo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I teach 6th grade science and we are currently working with magnets. Below is a great link for "How magnets work"
2006-09-19 16:29:12 · answer #4 · answered by cintumas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magic
2006-09-19 18:28:36 · answer #5 · answered by pete b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
magnetic field
2006-09-20 09:14:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋