subject: A Guide To Earth Magnets [print this page] An earth magnet is a permanent magnet that is made of a mixture of what are called rare earth elements. These elements are not actually uncommon so calling them ?rare? is a bit of a misnomer; they are referred to as being rare simply due to where they are located in the earth?s ore deposits and how they parallel other deposits in chemical structure. The molecules that comprise an earth magnet are able to be magnetized in such a way that they become stronger than most other kinds of magnets on the market.
The magnetic forces of most magnets are due to the way the molecules in the magnet interact with each other. These molecules are crystalline in nature and are easily magnetized in opposing directions which is contrary to how earth magnets are formed; the molecules in an earth magnet are easily magnetized in one direction but they resist being magnetized in the opposite direction. This means that all the molecules that make up an earth magnet, and therefore the entire magnet itself, are powered in one direction, giving it an extremely strong magnetic force.
The quality and strength of a permanent magnet can be evaluated by looking at four of its principle characteristics: coercivity, remanence, energy product, and Curie point. The remanence refers to how strong the magnetic field of a permanent magnet is; coercivity refers to the how easily the magnet can lose its magnetism; the energy product is a measure of how dense the magnet?s magnetic field is; the Curie point, or Curie temperature, is a physical property specific to magnets and is the degree at which a magnet to lose its magnetism. We have already discussed the high remanence an earth magnet has and it is worth noting that earth magnets have a higher coercivity and energy product than other magnets do. The Curie point of an earth magnet is below room temperature so it is usually mixed with metals with a Curie point that is higher than room temperature; doing this makes the earth magnet more versatile in terms of the varying temperatures in which it can maintain its magnetism.
Because of the tremendous strength of earth magnets, their use is most often seen in commercial and industrial settings as well as in education and research facilities. Roller coasters are able to stay on their tracks with the help of earth magnets. Some advanced video games have game play accessories that use earth magnets. Trains that operate via magnetic levitation use earth magnets. Even more common items such as fishing reels, audio equipment, and cordless tools have earth magnets as part of their designs.
Purchasing earth magnets is often done through an online merchant. Businesses who wish to purchase earth magnets in bulk may obtain a discount through the vendor. If a person wishes to buy an earth magnet for their personal use, they may be able to find an online retailer who will sell only one or a small number of magnets.
