12 interesting facts about magnets
- Magnets can be used to decrease the white cell blood count which increases in most diseases.
- Lodestones were what the first magnets were called.
- There are different types of magnets: permanent/hard, temporary/soft, electromagnets.
- Magnets are found in telephones, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, televisions and more.
- Usually, magnets are made of steel or iron. However, special alloys of iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, and aluminum can be made into powerful magnets.
- Many scientists believe that birds are able to find their way home by using the Earth’s magnetic field to guide them on long distance flights.
- Credit, debit, and ATM cards: All of these cards have a magnetic strip on one side. This strip encodes the information to contact an individual's financial institution and connect with their account(s).
- Materials that respond strongly to a magnetic field are called ferromagnetic.
- Common televisions and computer monitors: TV and computer screens containing a cathode ray tube employ an electromagnet to guide electrons to the screen. Plasma screens and LCDs use different technologies.
- Noted Greek physician, author and educator, Galen, referred to magnetism as an excellent purgative (laxative).
- Magnetic properties are used in generators to produce electricity.
- Magnetic recording media: VHS tapes contain a reel of magnetic tape. The information that makes up the video and sound is encoded on the magnetic coating on the tape. Common audio cassettes also rely on magnetic tape. Similarly, in computers, floppy disks and hard disks record data on a thin magnetic coating.
