Care and Storage of Magnets

Care for Magnets

Magnets can lose their magnetic properties if they are not handled correctly. This is called demagnetization.

Things to Avoid

Magnets lose their properties if:

1. Heated: Do not burn or heat a magnet.
2. Hammered: Do not hit magnets with hard objects.
3. Dropped: Dropping magnets from a height can weaken them.
4. Improper Storage: Leaving poles exposed for long periods.

Also, keep magnets away from:

• Mobile phones and television sets.
• Music systems and remote controls.
• Computers and CDs/Data cards.

Storing Magnets

To keep magnets safe, they must be stored properly using Keepers (pieces of soft iron).

1. Bar Magnets:

   • Store in pairs.
   • Unlike poles should be on the same side.
   • Place a piece of wood between them.
   • Place two pieces of soft iron across their ends.

2. Horseshoe Magnet:

   • Keep a single piece of soft iron across its poles.

Fun Applications

• Magnetic Garland: Using attraction to link objects.
• Maze Game: Using a magnet under a board to move a steel ball on top.
• Floating Paper Clip: Using a magnet outside a glass to hold a clip inside water.
• Maglev Trains: Trains that float above tracks using magnetic repulsion to reduce friction.