Magnet Facts

They say in space, no one can hear you scream, or sing, or even talk. That’s because outer space is a vacuum. In order for sound to travel, it needs to pass through something. In Earth’s case, sounds travels through air molecules. However, deep space lacks anything through which sound can travel, thus there is no sound whatsoever. Continue reading →

Since Albert Einstein’s proposed the existence of black holes in 1916, many details of these massive forces of nature have remained a mystery. Since the first discovery of a black hole in 1971, scientists have dedicated entire careers to the study of these regions of spacetime. But because they exhibit such strong gravitational force, no particles can escape their pull, making them nearly impossible to observe. Continue reading →

Mars has been a popular source of intrigue over the past ten years. Thoughts of colonizing, or at the very least visiting, the red planet have been all over the news. However, one major hurdle to overcome is the martian magnetic field. Unlike other planets such as Earth, Mars does not have single-source magnetic field, but rather, it pulls from many smaller sources to generate a much weaker atmosphere. Continue reading →

You might hear a lot about the ocean’s magnetism, in a metaphorical sense that is. But, while people love flocking to the beach or setting sail, other forces are at work. It turns out the ocean’s magnetism might be much more literal than we think! Researchers now believe that Earth’s ocean may actually play a significant role in the planet’s magnetic field. Continue reading →

In the 1930s, Nobel Laureate Paul Dirac hypothesized that particles existed that only had a positive or negative charge. According to his theory, these particles would explain how magnets work. The particles that theoretically would carry a positive or negative charge are called magnetic monopoles. Currently, magnets are considered to be made of particles that hold two charges at once. For example, if you cut a standard bar magnet in half, you’d wind up with two magnets that each have a north and a south pole - not smaller pieces that each have a single pole. However, if magnetic monopoles are discovered, it would disrupt the very bedrock of physics: the Standard Model. Continue reading →

In 1908, US Navy engineer Robert Peary claimed to be the first person to reach the North Pole. Equipped only with wooden sleds and dogs, Peary and his team trekked across the frozen waters of the Arctic Ocean, arriving at the point in early April. However, Peary’s claim has been met with much skepticism. Many critics say the team was not equipped with enough navigational instruments, others say Peary was simply lying. Continue reading →

Just in time for Halloween, we bring you one of the scariest scenarios we can imagine: a world without magnets! It’s easy to take magnets for granted, but the truth is that without them and other magnetic forces, life on Earth would be pretty different and frankly, pretty terrible. Here are just a few things that would definitely change. Continue reading →

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of neodymium magnets here. We think they’re pretty great - whether you’re doing a home renovation project, creating a cute seasonal DIY, or running a fun educational project, there are so many ways they’re useful. However, as with anything in life, it’s worth knowing how to handle these powerful, versatile tools safely. Continue reading →

We’ve been there: You’re perusing Pinterest or browsing blogs when you catch a project that you absolutely must make. Maybe you even saw it on our magnet blog! You hit the purchase button to get all the supplies you need and a few days later, a box arrives at your door. It’s time to jump right in and make the gorgeous, Instagram-ready project you’ve been dreaming of, right? Hold on there, sailor, because we’ve got some news for you: While your magnets can be useful and educational, they also have a few limitations. If you find yourself making any of these magnet mistakes, you may actually damage your magnets. Continue reading →

You may not realize it, but if you carry cash, you’re also carrying around a wallet full of magnets. This is also true if you have a checkbook. Magnetic ink is used in both paper money and checks to keep them secure by deterring things like forgery and counterfeiting. And while magnets are constantly used in the world of innovation and new ideas, magnetized money has remained virtually unchanged since it was first introduced. Continue reading →