Magnetic Induction

Lodestone is a naturally magnetic iron ore discovered in Magnesia, in Asia. "Magnetism" is derived from the name of this region where lodestone was discovered in an ancient era. Iron, as well as nickel and cobalt, is an easily magnetized material. When placed near a magnet, magnetic induction occurs in these materials; when the magnet is removed, most of this magnetic induction is lost.

North and South Poles

Magnetism and electricity have invisible force fields called lines of induction. These lines originate at the magnet's north pole and converge again at the magnet's south pole. Iron filings, when placed near a magnet, will follow these lines of induction. By using magnets of different shapes and sizes, different patterns are formed and the force field becomes obvious.

Atom Smashers and Magnetic Induction

Together, magnetic induction and electricity have formed the basis of modern machinery, medicine, and industry. From the light bulb to computers and television, from induction heating to induction generators, these two forces have created our modern technology. Electromagnetic induction is the foundation of the electric motor. In medicine, the laser beam consists of electromagnetic radiation. Many people, especially injured sports figures, are now familiar with the magnetic resonance imaging machine (MRI).

Particle accelerators, called atom smashers by lay people, are most often used in pure research. All accelerators use electric fields to increase the speed of charged particles, and most use magnetic fields to restrict the beam of charged particles that is directed at various objects. The point of this activity is to create new particles, and to observe the behavior of the bombarded objects, some as small as the nucleus of an atom. However, accelerators have invaluable applications in industry and medicine, most importantly in the production of radioisotopes.