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Mighty Magnets?

Will heating a magnet increase the strength of the magnet?

Christy L. Moorman

September 9, 2010

Abstract

Magnets are used in our every day lives. We have become dependent their use in our society. A test was conducted to find out the effect that heating a magnet would have on the magnet’s strength. A magnet’s strength was recorded at room temperature and then compared to its strength after being heated. Results indicated that a magnet’s strength does increase as the magnet it heated.
Table of Contents

Abstract …………………………………………..….4

Statement of Purpose……………………………..…..6

Hypothesis……………………………………….…...7

Research………………………………………………8

Procedures……………………………………………12

Materials …………………………………….……….14

Results ……………………………………………….15

Conclusion ……………………………………………17

Bibliography ………………………………………….18

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine if heating a magnet will increase the strength of the magnet.

Hypothesis

If the temperature of a magnet is increased, then the magnet will be able to pick up more paperclips than the same magnet at room temperature.

Research

First discovered in Greece and Chinathousands of years ago in a rock called lodestone, magnetic material has continued to be of interest to scientists, inventors, and people around the world. A magnet is an object that is surrounded by a magnetic field. The magnetic field is the invisible force of the magnet that can be felt. This force allows magnets to attract objects which contain iron, nickel, steel, and some other materials.

Over time, people have learned more about how magnets work. It was discovered that magnets have a north pole and a south pole. It is at these poles that the magnet’s strength is the strongest. They also found that two unlike poles will attract each other and two like poles will repel or push away. One amazing discovery was that the Earth is actually a natural magnet. This led to the invention of the first compass. Other natural magnets include stars, some planets, and the Sun.

There are different shapes of magnets. Bar magnets, U-shaped magnets called horseshoe magnets, and round, flat disk magnets. A magnet cut in half will result in two magnets that each have a north and a south pole.

Magnets can transfer their magnetism to other materials. For example, if a bar magnet is used to pick up a paper clip, the paper clip can become magnetized and pick up additional paper clips. This would make the paper clip a temporary magnet. When attracted metal becomes magnetized it is called magnetization.

The use of magnets has become a part of our every day lives. Magnets are found in our cars, televisions, and computers. Even your doorbell uses magnets. Sound devices such as telephones and speakers for stereo systems, radios, and computers contain magnets. They are also used in power plants that provide the electricity needed to operate many of the devices we use daily. Electric motors which supply power to cars, toys, washing machines, and dryers rely on magnets for operation. Physicians rely on magnets tohelp diagnose and treat medical problems by using an x-ray machine called an MRI.There are even some animals which have small magnets in their bodies which may help them when migrating. Recently, Maglev trains have been developed that work by putting a magnetic train on a magnetic track. Like poles of the magnets cause the train to levitate or float above the track.

Different magnets have different strengths. Scientists measure the strength of magnetic fields in units called gauss and tesla. A magnet’s strength can also be simply measured by recording the number of paper clips a magnet can attract. In an attempt to discover if temperature has an effect on a magnet’s strength, the independent variable of temperature will be tested. Control variables include the magnet used, the size and type of paperclips, how long temperature is recorded, and how long the magnet is heated. The dependent variable is the number of paper clips that the magnet will attract or pick up. With so much of our daily activities dependent on magnets, it is important that we understand any factors or variables that could affect the strength of a magnet.

Procedures

1. Assemble materials.

2. Make a pile of 45 small paper clips.

3. Measure the temperature of the magnet at room temperature by laying the bulb of the thermometer against the surface of the magnet and leaving it there for 2 minutes.

4. Record the temperature.

5. Use the magnet to pick up paper clips from the pile. Lift the magnet into the air and hold it there. After 10 seconds, count and record the number of clips that stayed connected to the magnet.

6. Put these magnetized clips away. They will not be used again.

7. Repeat steps 2-6 two additional times for a total of three trials.

8. Plug in the hot plate and turn it on to medium heat. Let it heat for five minutes or until the indicator light shows that the plate is heated.

9. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the hot plate to keep any paint on the magnet from transferring to the plate. Place the same magnet onto the hot plate. Leave it there for three minutes.

10. Make a new pile of 45 small paper clips.

11. Using wooden tongs pick up the magnet and lay it on the hot pad. DO NOT TOUCH THE HOT MAGNET.

12. Measure and record the temperature of the magnet as described in steps 3 and 4.

13. Using the tongs, pick up the magnet and use it to pick up paper clips from the pile. DO NOT TOUCH THE HOT MAGNET. Lift the magnet into the air and hold it there. After 10 seconds, count and record the number of clips that stayed connected to the magnet.

14. Put these magnetized clips away. They will not be used again.

15. Repeat steps 9-14 two additional times for a total of three trials.

Materials

• 1 all-metal bar magnet
• 150+ small metal paper clips
• 1 metal dry bulb thermometer
• 1 hot plate with low, medium, and high settings marked
• 1 hot pad
• 1 pair of wooden tongs or chop sticks
• 1 stop watch
• 1 12-inch sheet of aluminum foil

Results

When tested, a magnet at an average room temperature of 26ºC attracted an average of 39 paper clips. A magnet heated to an average temperature of 71ºC attracted an average of 44 paper clips. This data supports the hypothesis that a magnet’s strength increases when it’s temperature increases.

Paper Clips Attracted at Room Temperature

Paper Clips Attracted at Heated Temperature

Conclusion

Results of this experiment support the hypothesis that a magnet’s strength increases when the magnet is heated. Therefore, the hypothesis can be accepted. However, there is one possible source of error in this experiment. Measurements of temperature at room temperature and heated temperature were taken using two different thermometers due to availability of one thermometer that would measure a high enough range of temperatures. It is assumed that the two thermometers used are accurate; therefore, there should no strong effect on the data collected. More research could be done to further support the hypothesis by cooling or freezing a magnet to determine if the magnet’s strength decreases.

Bibliography

Bonsor, Kevin. "How Maglev Trains Work" 13 October 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved August 26, 2010 from

Eden, Guinevere. "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)." World Book Student. World Book 2010. Retrived August 21, 2010, from

Greenberg, D. (Ed.). Magnetism. New York, NY: Macmillan McGraw-Hill.

Schwartz, Brian B., and Richard B. Frankel. "Magnetism." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Retrieved August, 21, 2010, from

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