Super Strong Rare Earth Magnets

The Fascinating World of Magnets: An Overview

Imagine the spectacular scene when two neodymium magnets with a pulling force of 300 kg collide at a speed of 320 km/h! It would be incredible, but it could become quite dangerous if you accidentally place your hand between the two magnets.

The fundamental properties of magnets have long been understood by scientists and have been part of human life for centuries. Despite this, magnets continue to captivate and surprise us.

A Brief History of Magnets

The ancient Romans and Chinese observed the peculiar properties of certain materials, specifically lodestones (natural magnets). These lodestones are iron oxides formed from slowly cooled volcanic magma. When they discovered that these stones could attract metals or induce magnetism in iron, they used them to create the first magnetic compasses.

Types of Magnets

Magnets come in various “flavors” or types, though not as many as ice cream flavors. Here’s a brief overview:

• Ferromagnets: These magnets contain materials like iron or cobalt, where the atoms’ unpaired electrons align to create a strong magnetic field. They are used to make permanent magnets.
• Ferrimagnets: These have only some aligned electron spins and are used in specific applications.
• Paramagnets: Most chemical elements are paramagnetic, meaning they exhibit magnetism when placed in a magnetic field but do not retain it when the field is removed.
• Diamagnets: These materials create an opposing magnetic field when placed in an external magnetic field, allowing them to levitate objects. Maglev trains use this principle.

Neodymium Magnets

Neodymium magnets are composed of a rare earth alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron (Nd2Fe14B). They are the strongest permanent magnets available commercially. These magnets have replaced older types in many modern electronic devices due to their powerful magnetic fields. Neodymium magnets are classified as ferromagnets.

For example, two neodymium magnets with a diameter of 7.2 cm, a height of 6 cm, and a weight of 1.8 kg each can exert a magnetic pull (and push) of up to 300 kg. If you place your hand between these magnets, you might lose it! These magnets can even lift a person if they are placed appropriately.

The Strongest Magnets in the World

The strongest magnets are found at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and Florida State University. They can reach strengths of up to 100 Tesla and 45 Tesla, respectively. In comparison, experimental magnets are about 1.3 Tesla, and the magnets used in scrap yards are around 2 Tesla.

Conclusion

The world of magnets, from historical lodestones to modern neodymium magnets, reveals a blend of history, science, and remarkable technological advances. If you have more interesting applications or facts about magnets, feel free to share them!

Source: genk.vn