Permanent and Induced Magnets

Magnets can either be permanent or induced.

Magnets can be categorised into two types:

1. Magnetically soft materials:

• Lose their magnetism very quickly

• Can only be temporarily magnetised

• Examples include nickel and iron

2. Magnetically hard materials

• Retain their magnetism over a longer period

• Can be permanently magnetised

• Examples include steel

Permanent Magnets

Permanent magnets are magnets which always create their own magnetic field. Their magnetism cannot be turned on and off. So, they are always exerting a force on other magnets or magnetic materials.

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• When referring to magnets, such as common bar magnets or horseshoe magnets, we are talking about permanent magnets.

A permanent magnet can attract or repel another permanent magnet. However, it can only attract magnetic materials.

Induced Magnets

Induced magnets, also known as temporary magnets, become magnetized when placed in a magnetic field. However, induced magnets are only attracted to other magnets; they cannot repel them.

• For example, iron filings become induced magnets when they are near bar magnets.

• When the magnetic field is taken away, induced magnets lose most or all their magnetism.

• When induced and permanent magnets are near each other, there is always an attraction.