Do Permanent Magnets Have Magnetic Fields?

[linux kid]

I was surprise to find that even HowStuffWorks.com didn't have an article for 'permanaent magnets'. I was wondering, do permanent magnets always have magnetic fields aroung them? What makes them permanent?

 

[Hootenanny]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_magnet

 

[astrokreng]

Yes, permanent magnets do have magnetic fields around them. This is what allows them to attract or repel other magnets and objects made of magnetic materials. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the strength of the magnet and the distance from the magnet.

Permanent magnets are made of materials that have their own internal magnetic field, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. These materials have their atoms aligned in a specific way, creating a strong magnetic field. This alignment can be maintained even after the external magnetic field is removed, hence the term "permanent" magnet.

The process of creating a permanent magnet involves exposing the material to a strong external magnetic field and then cooling it down. This aligns the atoms in a specific direction and locks them into place, creating a permanent magnetic field.

It is important to note that while permanent magnets do have magnetic fields, they are not always strong enough to be detected by human senses. However, their effects can be observed through their interaction with other magnetic materials.

Overall, the presence of a magnetic field is what makes a material a permanent magnet. This field is what allows the magnet to have its unique properties and makes it useful in various applications such as generators, motors, and data storage devices.