Magnet Facts

Almost anything that uses a motor or electricity to operate is built with magnets. That means cars also have them. In fact, magnets can be found in multiple places other than the motor in some cars. Unlike traditional automobiles, electric cars are powered by electricity rather than gas, so they have no tank. Instead, they have large batteries or fuel cells and “fueling up” is much like plugging into an outlet. According to an analysis by the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), there were over 400,000 electric powered cars on the road in early 2014. Each of those requires magnetism in order to work.  When it comes to electric cars, magnets are essential. How are magnets used in electric cars? Continue reading →

There are several different types of magnets, each with their own set of characteristics. If you are using magnets in any DIY, home improvement or science project it is important to know the differences to choose the best magnet for the job. First, it is important to mention that there’s also a subset of magnets━permanent and electromagnet. Electromagnets require a source of electricity and can be turned on or off, whereas, permanent magnets retain their magnetism. In this blog, we are focusing on permanent magnets. The main types are: Continue reading →

Snails may be best known for their achingly slow pace, but the scaly-foot snail is known for something else━its super powered magnetic shell. The scaly-foot gastropod lives around water or deep sea environments and wasn’t discovered until 2001. Continue reading →

Planets that have magnetic fields also have a magnetosphere. Venus and Mars are the only planets that do not have a magnetic field and some scientists believe that the loss of their magnetic fields could have been the reason why they lost their oceans. The Earth’s magnetic field protects us from space debris and the charged particles of solar winds. If solar winds break through the atmosphere, they can emit dangerous radiation. Continue reading →

X-rays, radio waves and visible light are all examples of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). What is electromagnetic radiation? It is a form of energy that travels in the form of electromagnetic waves, which are created when electricity and magnetism come together. James Clerk Maxwell first discovered the existence of these waves around 1860, but it wasn’t until Heinrich Hertz built a device that produced radio waves that their existence was proven. Hertz’ experiment proved not only that electromagnetic waves existed, but that they are a form of light. Continue reading →

Magnets have been around for hundreds of years. The naturally occurring magnetic stone, lodestone, has been linked as far back as 600 B.C., and magnetic compasses appeared around 4th century B.C. China. Magnets and their uses have greatly evolved since those times, however. Now, magnets are stronger, more versatile and more common━appearing in almost every piece of technology that exists today. Looking back on 2014, we can’t help but remember some of the innovative and interesting magnetic developments that have happened. In honor of this past year, we have compiled a list of the most interesting magnetic developments of 2014. Continue reading →

While you’re working out at the gym in the coming year, don’t forget to work out one of the most important muscles in your body━your brain. (For the record, your brain isn’t technically a muscle by itself.) However, like a muscle, your brain gets stronger as you use it more often. In honor of getting your brain fit for the new year, we have compiled a list of magnet facts to get you started. Continue reading →

Magnetism has been around for billions of years. Yet, there are still numerous things we haven’t discovered about it. Each year, we discover a little more though. And this year, scientists have found out some interesting aspects of this force of nature. Below we have highlighted 3 magnetic discoveries from 2014. Continue reading →

Without magnetism, we would be without many of the gadgets and technology that are now a part of our everyday lives. Many innovators use magnets to create unique and useful inventions. In this blog, we have listed some of the most influential inventions that would not have been possible without the help of magnetism. Continue reading →

The largest magnet on Earth is, in fact, the Earth. Our planet acts like one big bar magnet, with a magnetic north and south pole. However, it is not the strongest one on the planet. The most powerful, non-destructive magnet resides in New Mexico and was made by humans. In 2012, researchers at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico built one that could generate a record-setting magnetic field of 100 Tesla, a unit used to measure magnetic field strength. Continue reading →