How and why do magnets attract? What kinds?

Question

Im doing a project on magnets and i couldnt really find any USEFUL information on why magnets attract. HELP ME PLEASE? it would really help and i would appreciate it =)

Answer 1

Why do magnets work?
Magnetism is an invisible force felt within the space around a magnet. This space, called the magnetic field, can either attract (pull) or repel (push away) other magnets and some types of metal.

All magnets have two ends (poles). These poles are opposites and are called the north and south poles. Opposite poles attract, while like (similar) poles, repel.

The Earth’s core has its own magnetic field. Magnetic north and south are near the geographic north and south poles.

NASA has been experimenting with magnetic fluids for over 30 years. Magnetic fluids were made to help put fuel into a rocket engine. NASA was trying to solve the problem. of how to move fuel without gravity. Tiny pieces of iron were put into the fuel. A magnet pulls the iron and could help get the fuel into the engine.

Magnetic fluids are made by mixing pieces of metal in liquids to make a fluid that is very different from other liquids. It will stick to a magnet and can be directed by magnetic forces. Magnetic fields can shape the fluid, and magnetic fluids can change their thickness. They become hard around magnets.

Scientists have tried to use magnetic fluids to solve other problems. They’re used to make better computers. Scientists are still thinking of new ways to use the fluids.

You may use magnetic fluids! Some cars have them in their shock absorbers. They are used in some buildings and bridges. The fluids help protect structures from damage from earthquakes or strong winds. There is still a lot to learn about these magnetic fluids. NASA is using the Space Station to learn more about them. They hope to find new ways to use them.

KSNN thanks NASAexplores as a source of information. For more information about this topic and additional teaching resources go to http://www.nasaexplores.com

Answer 2

A magnet is an object that has a magnetic field (magnetic field is that part of the electromagnetic field that exerts a force on a moving charge. A magnetic field can be caused either by another moving charge (i.e., by an electric current) or by a changing electric field.)

Electrons play the primary role in generating a magnetic field. Within an atom, electrons can exist either individually or in pairs within any given orbital. When they are paired, the individuals in that pair always have opposite spin—one up, one down. The fact that the spins have opposite orientation means that the two cancel one another. If all electrons are paired, no net magnetic field will be generated.

In some atoms, there are electrons that are unpaired. All magnets have unpaired electrons, but not all atoms with unpaired electrons are ferromagnetic. In order for the material to become ferromagnetic, not only must there be unpaired electrons present, but those unpaired electrons must interact with one another over long ranges such that they are all oriented in the same direction. The specific electron configuration of the atoms (as well as the distance between atoms) is what leads to this long-range ordering. Electrons exist in a lower energy state if they share the same orientation.


for more detail on magnetism click the link...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetism
hope i was able to help... Best of luck for the project

Answer 3

A magnet is attracted by Iron

Answer 4

Sigh...

http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magwhy.htm
http://www.technicoil.com/magnetismtext.html
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/mar98/891386132.Sh.r.html

I can't be bothered to continue... but http://www.ask.com does exsist for a reason and is amazing for school work...

Answer 5

its magic