| alloys |
A uniform mixture of two or more materials. Alloys consist of at least one metal. |
| alternating current |
AC. Electricity that reverses direction at regularly recurring intervals of time. Alternating current switches direction 60 times per second, or 60 hertz, in the U.S. |
| aluminum |
A lightweight silver-white metallic element that is diamagnetic. Aluminum is essentially non-magnetic. |
| axis |
An imaginary straight line that passes through the center of an object. An axis has a pole on each end. |
| brass |
An alloy of copper and zinc that is diamagnetic. Brass is essentially non-magnetic. |
| carbon |
A common nonmetallic element that exists in several forms. Carbon is added to iron to form steel. |
| cobalt |
A brittle silver-white metallic element that is ferromagnetic. Cobalt is one of the few naturally magnetic metals. |
| compass |
A tool for determining geographic direction that uses a magnetic needle as a pointer. A compass' needle points to the earth's north geographic pole. |
| conductor |
A material or element that allows free movement of electrons and therefore allows easy flow of electricity. Conductors are typically metals. |
| demagnetize |
To eliminate a material's magnetism. To demagnetize a material, disrupt the regular pattern of aligned magnetic domains. |
| diamagnetic |
A material or substance that is not magnetic. Diamagnetic materials include brass and aluminum. |
| direct current |
DC. Electricity that travels in one direction. Direct current does not reverse the direction of flow, unlike alternating current. |
| electricity |
A form of energy created by the movement of electrons. Electricity can be converted into light, heat, or motion. |
| electromagnet |
A magnet that gains an attractive force only when current passes through it. Electromagnets are extremely powerful. |
| electrons |
A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom. Electrons flowing between atoms causes electricity. |
| ferromagnetic |
A material or substance that is highly magnetic. Ferromagnetic materials include iron, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. |
| generators |
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators operate on the principle of magnetic induction. |
| geographic poles |
The opposite ends of the earth's rotational axis. The geographic poles are located at the northernmost and southernmost points of the earth. |
| hydroelectric plant |
An electricity-generating facility that uses water to create power. Hydroelectric plants use magnetic induction to produce electricity from the mechanical motion of water. |
| induces |
Generates. Magnets induce current in a conductor. |
| insulator |
A material that disrupts, inhibits, or prevents the transmission of sources of energy such as heat, light, and sound. Insulators include rubber and plastic. |
| iron |
A strong silver-gray metallic element that is ferromagnetic. Iron is one of the few naturally magnetic metals. |
| magnet |
A metallic object or substance that possesses a force that attracts or repels other metals. Magnets attract opposite charges and repel like charges. |
| magnetic axis |
The imaginary line connecting the north and south poles of a magnet. The magnetic axis of the earth connects the earth's magnetic poles. |
| magnetic domain |
A group of atoms that have been aligned in parallel to the magnetic north and south. The amount of aligned magnetic domains determines a material's magnetism. |
| magnetic field |
The area in and around a magnet in which a magnetic force exists. Magnetic fields exhibit the powers of attraction and repulsion. |
| magnetic flux |
The force that surrounds a magnet and exhibits the powers of attraction and repulsion. Magnetic flux is described as imaginary lines of force that exit the magnet's north pole and return to its south pole. |
| magnetic induction |
The use of magnets to cause voltage in a conductor. Magnetic induction occurs whenever a conductor passes through magnetic lines of flux. |
| magnetic poles |
The opposite ends of the earth’s magnetic axis. The magnetic poles's locations shift slightly over time due to changes in the earth's magnetic field. |
| magnetism |
The power of attraction and repulsion that exists in materials. Magnetism most often occurs between metals. |
| magnetize |
To make a material magnetic or attractive to other metals. To magnetize a material, align its magnetic domains. |
| manganese |
A brittle grayish-white metallic element that is ferromagnetic. Manganese can be made highly magnetic, but it is not naturally magnetic. |
| molecules |
A pair or group of atoms that are chemically bound together. Molecules in magnetic materials line up in parallel. |
| motors |
A machine that converts one form of energy, such as electricity, into mechanical energy or motion. Motors operate on the principle of magnetic induction. |
| nickel |
A malleable silver-white metallic element that is ferromagnetic. Nickel is one of the few naturally magnetic metals. |
| northern hemisphere |
The half of the earth that lies above the equator. The northern hemisphere includes the earth's north geographic pole. |
| parallel |
Two lines or axes that are equidistant from one another at all points. Parallel lines do not intersect. |
| paramagnetic |
A material that is not naturally magnetic but that can be made magnetic with some effort. Paramagnetic materials include platinum and titanium. |
| permanent magnet |
A magnet that retains its attractive force after it is removed from a magnetic field. Permanent magnets have high residual magnetism. |
| permeability |
A material's tendency to become magnetized. Permeability is the opposite of reluctance. |
| platinum |
A precious grayish-white metallic element that is paramagnetic. Platinum can be slightly magnetized with some effort. |
| polarity |
A state of opposites. Polarity determines the north and south attractions of a magnet and the positive and negative charges in a circuit. |
| poles |
Opposite ends of an axis. Poles also refer to the opposite ends of a magnet. |
| reluctance |
A material's resistance to becoming magnetized. Reluctance is the opposite of permeability. |
| residual magnetism |
The attractive force that exists in an object or substance after it has been removed from a magnetic field. Residual magnetism is a characteristic of permanent magnets. |
| rotational axis |
The center line on which a ball or sphere turns or rotates. The rotational axis of the earth connects the earth's geographic poles. |
| saturation |
A magnetic state in which the attractive strength of a magnet has reached its peak. Saturation indicates that all of a material's molecules are aligned. |
| southern hemisphere |
The half of the earth that lies below the equator. The southern hemisphere includes the earth's south geographic pole. |
| steel |
An alloy of iron and carbon that is ferromagnetic. Steel is the most common manufacturing metal. |
| surface grinder |
A grinding machine used to finish flat surfaces or grind parts to accurate size. Surface grinders often use electromagnets as workholding devices. |
| titanium |
A strong low-density metallic element that is paramagnetic. Titanium can be slightly magnetized with some effort. |
| workholding device |
A device used to locate and hold a workpiece. Workholding devices often use electromagnets. |