< Back
bar magnet
Definition
Bar magnets are a type of magnet that is shaped like a bar. They have two poles, a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of a bar magnet attracts the south pole of another bar magnet, and vice versa.
Bar magnets are made of materials that are ferromagnetic, which means that they can be magnetized. When a ferromagnetic material is magnetized, the atoms in the material align themselves in a way that creates a magnetic field.
The magnetic field of a bar magnet is strongest at the poles. The magnetic field lines of a bar magnet point from the north pole to the south pole.
Bar magnets are used in a variety of applications, including compasses, motors, and generators.
How can the word be used?
The bar magnet was used to generate electricity.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
bar magnet (a long, narrow magnet with two poles).
Adjective:
bar magnet (of or relating to a bar magnet).
Verb:
to magnetize (to make a bar magnet).
Etymology
The word "bar magnet" is a compound word that comes from the words "bar" and "magnet".
The word "bar" comes from the Old English word "beor", which means "a long, solid piece of wood or metal". The word "magnet" comes from the Greek word "magnes", which refers to the region of Magnesia in Greece, where lodestone was first found.
Question
What is a bar magnet and when might it be used?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Define a "bar magnet" and explain its fundamental properties and behavior. Describe how magnetic field lines are arranged around a bar magnet.
Answer:
A "bar magnet" is a permanent magnet with a rectangular or cylindrical shape. It possesses two poles, a north pole and a south pole, located at opposite ends of the magnet.
Bar magnets exhibit the fundamental property of magnetism, where like poles repel each other, and opposite poles attract. When suspended freely, a bar magnet aligns itself in the north-south direction, approximately along the Earth's magnetic field lines.
The magnetic field lines around a bar magnet extend from the north pole to the south pole in a continuous loop. The lines are closer together near the poles, indicating a stronger magnetic field, and spread out as they move away from the magnet.
The magnetic field lines never intersect, ensuring that magnetic field strength is consistent and well-defined in the region surrounding the bar magnet. This arrangement of magnetic field lines is crucial in understanding how magnets interact with other magnetic materials and their applications in various devices.