Basic Properties

Introduction

In this lab we will qualitatively study some of the basic properties of magnetic materials.

Procedure

Part 1 Two types of poles

Q1) Take two of the permanent magnets. Bring the two painted sides together. What do you observe?

Q2) Bring the two unpainted sides together. What do you observe?

Q3) Bring a painted side towards an unpainted side. What do you observe?

Q4) Bring a magnet near the electroscope. Do you see anything? Can we conclude that the force between magnets is not electric? Why?

Q5) How are the properties of permanent magnets similar to the properties of charges?

Any magnet has two sides with opposite properties which we refer to as a magnetic pole. It is customary to call one pole the ‘north’ pole and one pole the ‘south’ pole.

Q6) If the painted sides of the magnet have one type of pole and the unpainted side of the magnets have the opposite pole, then what can you conclude about the magnetic force between like and opposite poles?

Q7) Bring one end of the compass near the painted side of a magnet. How does it behave? (Note bring it close enough to observe an effect but not too close.)

Q8) Bring the opposite side of the compass near the painted side of the magnet. How does it behave? (Note bring it close enough to observe an effect but not too close.)

A magnet like a ring magnet which has two opposite permanent poles is referred to as a permanent magnet.

Q9) Explain how the observations in Q8) demonstrate that the compass is a permanent magnet.

Identify North and determine which side of the compass needle points north. We define the pole of the compass that faces north to be the ‘North’ pole of the magnet and the pole that faces south to be the ‘South’ pole of the compass.

Q10) Given your observations about the behavior of the magnetic forces between like and opposite poles, what type of pole is the painted side of the ring magnet and what type of pole is the unpainted side of the ring magnet?

Q11) What type of magnetic pole must Earth’s north pole be?

Temporary magnets

Q12) Bring the metal washer near the painted side of the magnet. What do you observe?

Q13) Flip the washer over and bring it near the painted side of the magnet. What do you observe?

Q14) Bring the metal washer near the blank side of the magnet. What do you observe?

Q15) Flip the washer over and bring it near the blank side of the magnet. What do you observe?

Q16) Does the washer always seem to be attracted to the magnet?

Materials which are always attracted to a permanent magnet are known as temporary magnets.

Non magnetic materials

Q17) Bring the painted side of the magnet near the brass ball. Do you observe any thing?

Q18) Bring the unpainted side near the brass ball. Do you observe anything?

Q19) Based on these observations, does the brass ball appear to be either a permanent or a temporary magnet? Explain.

Materials that do not exhibit magnetic properties are known as non-magnetic materials.

Classification of magnetic materials

Q20) Describe a procedure so that you can classify the plastic coated wand, the steel ball, and the aluminum ball as permanent magnets, temporary magnets, or non-magnets.

Q21) Carry out your procedure and record your observations.

Q22) Classify each of the three objects as a permanent magnet, temporary magnet, or non-magnet.

Equipment Needed

Introduction

Procedure