Direct answer first: Magnets work because the electrons inside certain materials align their magnetic moments so their individual tiny magnetic fields add up in the same direction. This creates a net magnetic field with a north and a south pole, which attracts or repels other magnets or magnetic materials. Details in brief
- What magnets are: Materials, like iron, nickel, and cobalt, that can produce a magnetic field. When they are magnetized, regions called domains align so the material has a collective magnetic field. [web results context, general knowledge]
- How magnetism arises: At the atomic level, electrons behave like tiny magnets due to their spin and orbital motion. In ferromagnetic materials, neighboring atomic moments tend to align, forming domains that can become aligned in an external magnetic field, producing a stronger overall magnet. [web results context]
- Poles and forces: Every magnet has a north and south pole. Like poles repel; opposite poles attract. The magnetic force is strongest near the poles and diminishes with distance. [web results context]
- How magnets are magnetized and demagnetized: External magnetic fields or heating can align or disturb domain orientations, strengthening or weakening a magnet, and high temperatures or physical shocks can demagnetize magnets over time. [web results context]
- Everyday context: The Earth behaves like a giant magnet with its own north and south poles, giving rise to phenomena such as the aurora and the navigation function of compasses. [web results context]
If you’re curious about a specific aspect (e.g., how magnetic domains form, how electromagnets differ from permanent magnets, or how magnetic fields are used in devices), tell me which part you want to dive into and I’ll tailor a concise explanation.
