What Causes Magnetism and Repulsion in Magnets?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies that magnetism is a physical property rather than a chemical one. It emphasizes that the attraction and repulsion between magnets are due to their atomic structure and the alignment of magnetic domains, particularly in materials like iron, which has unpaired electrons contributing to its magnetic properties. The conversation also highlights that while chemistry plays a role in the microstructure of magnetic materials, the fundamental principles of magnetism are rooted in physics. Resources such as HyperPhysics and Wikipedia are recommended for further exploration of these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and electron spin
  • Familiarity with magnetic domains and their alignment
  • Basic knowledge of physical versus chemical properties
  • Awareness of materials like iron and their magnetic characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of magnetism in materials science
  • Explore the role of rare earth elements in magnet production
  • Learn about the thermal treatment of austenitic and ferritic steels
  • Study the interaction between chemistry and physics in magnetism
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Students of physics and chemistry, materials scientists, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of magnetism and its applications in technology.

Niaboc67
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When you take two magnets one being positive, the other negative. What is the chemical makeup of these two magnets that makes them repel each other. And if I have this correct, electricity is caused by magnet coils spinning around which generates electricity. What is it about magnets (especially chemically) that gives them the property to make electricity and the ability to repel one another.

Thank you
 
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A positive magnetic pole and a negative pole attract, and may be the same physical structure, a horseshoe magnet for instance, and chemically identical.

Magnetism is not a chemical property.
 
Doug Huffman said:
A positive magnetic pole and a negative pole attract, and may be the same physical structure, a horseshoe magnet for instance, and chemically identical.

Magnetism is not a chemical property.

What is magnetism exactly then if it's not based on chemicals. Is it based on their atomic makeup?
 
Niaboc67 said:
When you take two magnets one being positive, the other negative.

This sentence fragment is not clear. What is a positive magnet and a negative magnet?

You should do some basic research on magnetism, then ask your questions.

Here is a free tip to get you started:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetism
 
I am a proud sustaining contributor to The Wikimedia Foundation. I hope that you also will.
 
Some background on magnets - permanent and ferromagnetic.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/magperm.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/ferro.html#c4

Chemistry does play a role in terms of the microstructure and effect on 'domains' in the material. The effect of microstructure and independence from chemical composition can be seen in austenitic steels (which are not magnetic) that can be thermally treated to become ferritic and/or martensitic steels (which are magnetic). Rare Earth elements can be used to make magnets.

However, magnetism is considered a physical property rather than a chemical property.
 
Iron is a common magnet component. Iron has 4 unpaired electrons, and so they have spin. This spin creates magnetism, if I remember correctly. Pocket domains are aligned, but not relative to each other, so an iron nail is not magnetic. However, if it is exposed to an external magnetic field, the domains align with the field and with each other, so the iron nail is now magnetic. Hope this helps.

Also, magnetism is studied by chemists, because chemists also look at atoms and their components. That's a place where physics and chemistry overlap somewhat. (You know: orbitals. That's definitely chemistry.)
 
Niaboc67 said:
What is magnetism exactly then if it's not based on chemicals. Is it based on their atomic makeup?

Yes.
 

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