If you cut a magnet in two, why do you get two magnets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why cutting a magnet in two results in two separate magnets. Participants explore the underlying principles of magnetization and the behavior of magnetic materials, with a focus on the alignment of atomic magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if polar molecules are aligned in a magnet, cutting it should not yield two magnets, questioning the basic understanding of magnetization.
  • Another participant clarifies that magnetization in ferromagnetic materials is due to the alignment of small magnetic fields of atoms, using an analogy of cars in a parking lot to illustrate the concept.
  • The analogy describes how, in a non-magnetic material, the arrangement of cars (representing atomic magnetic fields) is random, while in a magnetized material, they are aligned, leading to the same properties in both halves when cut.
  • Several participants express appreciation for the analogy and the explanation provided, indicating a positive reception to the clarification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the explanation of magnetization and the analogy used, but the initial question about the implications of cutting a magnet remains somewhat unresolved, as the original concern about whether two magnets are produced is not definitively addressed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not delve into the specifics of the mechanisms behind magnetic field generation or the conditions under which magnetization occurs, leaving some assumptions unexamined.

VelocityGirl
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Maybe cut isn't the best word, but you get what I mean.

Surely if all the negative polar molecules move to one side of the magnet and the positive polar molecules move to the other side, and you cut the magnet in the middle, you shouldn't get two more magnets?

I'm still only doing high school physics, so the answer might be blindingly obvious.. :shy:
 
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Polar molecules are electric charge polarized not magnetic charge polarized. The magnetization of a ferromagnetic material is due to the small magnetic fields of each atom being aligned in one direction.

Think of the analogy of cars in a parking lot. In a non-magnetic material the cars are turned around randomly. Turn them on and you see an equal number of head-lights and tail-lights from any given direction. Now if you align all the cars then in one direction you only have headlights and in the opposite direction you only have tail lights. Cut the parking lot in half and each half has the same property.
 
jambaugh said:
Polar molecules are electric charge polarized not magnetic charge polarized. The magnetization of a ferromagnetic material is due to the small magnetic fields of each atom being aligned in one direction.

Think of the analogy of cars in a parking lot. In a non-magnetic material the cars are turned around randomly. Turn them on and you see an equal number of head-lights and tail-lights from any given direction. Now if you align all the cars then in one direction you only have headlights and in the opposite direction you only have tail lights. Cut the parking lot in half and each half has the same property.

Oh, that makes sense. Thank you! :biggrin:
 
jambaugh said:
Think of the analogy of cars in a parking lot. In a non-magnetic material the cars are turned around randomly. Turn them on and you see an equal number of head-lights and tail-lights from any given direction. Now if you align all the cars then in one direction you only have headlights and in the opposite direction you only have tail lights. Cut the parking lot in half and each half has the same property.

That is beautiful. Thank you James!
 
Yes, that's great! :!)
 

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