The Science of Magnets: Lodestones & Synthetics

[Antigone]

What makes lodestones such good magnets? And what makes synthetic magnets "good"? Do magnets have subatomic particles arranged differently?

 

[SteamKing]

Google is your friend.

 

[hjelmgart]

I cannot comment on the lodestones, google would answer me as good as it would answer ýou. What do you think defines a "good" magnet?
Magnetism stems from the electrons and the spin direction of the electrons. You need at least to understand some basic principles in quantum mechanics to understand, how electrons contributes to magnetism, as well as the reason for permanent magnets (below certain temperatures), and magnetic domains (subatomic arrangement).

So both the strength of the magnetic field and the temperature, at which it can maintain the field are important for a magnet to be "good", as you would not have much use for a magnet with a large magnetic intensity, if it would lose its magnetic order above 200 kelvin.

You can make good synthetic magnets, because you know the theory to make the best properties for your magnet (depending on how you need to use it), so that is quite obvious, I would say.
The strongest magnets you have are electromagnets, which you can also google.

 

[jtbell]

A good keyword to search on is probably "ferromagnetism".

 

[pmacias]

Lodestones, also known as natural magnets, are made up of the mineral magnetite (Fe3O4). This mineral has a unique crystalline structure that allows it to create a strong magnetic field. The atoms in magnetite are arranged in a specific pattern, with some electrons spinning in the same direction, creating a net magnetic moment.

On the other hand, synthetic magnets are man-made and can be made from a variety of materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. The atoms in these materials are arranged in a similar way to magnetite, but they can be manipulated to have a stronger magnetic field. This is achieved through processes such as magnetization, where an external magnetic field is applied to align the atoms in the same direction.

In terms of their effectiveness as magnets, both lodestones and synthetic magnets have their own advantages. Lodestones are naturally occurring and require no additional processing, making them readily available for use. They also have a stable magnetic field and can retain their magnetism for a long time. Synthetic magnets, on the other hand, can be customized to have a stronger magnetic field and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them more versatile for different applications.

As for the subatomic particles in magnets, they are not arranged differently. The atoms in both lodestones and synthetic magnets have the same subatomic particles, but their arrangement and interactions with each other give rise to the magnetic properties of the material. This is why different materials can have different levels of magnetism, depending on their atomic structure.

In conclusion, lodestones and synthetic magnets both have unique properties that make them effective as magnets. While lodestones rely on the natural structure of magnetite, synthetic magnets can be customized for specific purposes. Both types of magnets have the same subatomic particles, but their arrangement and manipulation give rise to their magnetic properties.