What Causes Magnetism and Repulsion in Magnets?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of magnetism, specifically what causes magnetism and the repulsion between magnets. Participants explore the relationship between magnetism and chemical properties, atomic structure, and the physical characteristics of materials that exhibit magnetic behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the chemical makeup of magnets and how it relates to their ability to repel each other and generate electricity.
  • Another participant asserts that magnetism is not a chemical property, suggesting it may be related to atomic structure instead.
  • A later reply challenges the clarity of the terms "positive" and "negative" magnets, prompting a suggestion for basic research on magnetism.
  • Some participants provide links to external resources for further reading on the topic of magnetism.
  • Discussion includes the role of microstructure in magnetism, noting that certain materials can exhibit different magnetic properties based on their treatment and structure.
  • One participant mentions that iron's unpaired electrons and their spin contribute to its magnetic properties, and describes how external magnetic fields can align magnetic domains in materials.
  • There is a brief acknowledgment of the overlap between chemistry and physics in the study of magnetism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether magnetism is a chemical property or a physical one, and there is no consensus on the definitions of "positive" and "negative" magnets. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the fundamental nature of magnetism.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of magnetism, noting that it involves both physical and potentially chemical aspects, but do not reach a definitive conclusion on the matter. The discussion includes references to specific materials and their magnetic properties, which may depend on various factors.

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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