knives, pliers, rings, screwdrivers, fingernail clipers. almost everything made of metal that i have becomes magnetic. is this normal, and why does it happen?
2007-06-27 09:56:42 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
MC is correct, though not complete. Magnetism is a strange thing.
Most likely these things *are* coming into contact with something magnetic. When an iron object clings to a magnet for a while, it usually becomes magnetic itself. Speakers usually have fairly powerful magnets, including television speakers.
Another common way for items to become magnetic is to "align" the magnetic "regions" of the object. This can be done by simply running the iron object along a hard surface (such as a stone). A common outdoorsman's trick is to rub a needle a few times on a rock - in the same direction, along the axis - and thus magnetizing the needle, which can then be floated on some object to form a compass. The magnetic strength imbued by this method is usually very slight, however,
An electrical field can also generate magnetism, as MC said, but the conditions are unusual and it is unlikely that this is the cause of your magnetization.
2007-06-30 05:42:31 · answer #1 · answered by JimPettis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must be mistaken, only ferrous metals can be magnetized, many of the items you mention are probably made of stainless steel which is not magnetic.
2007-06-30 13:09:30 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not normal. You must be getting them close to a magent or electrical field.
2007-06-27 17:04:49 · answer #3 · answered by Michael C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋