Download Magnetism Vocabulary Terms

Magnetism
Vocabulary Term
Definition
alloy
A uniform mixture of two or more materials. One of the materials must be a metal.
alternating current
Current that regularly reverses the direction of its flow.
aluminum
A lightweight, non-magnetic, metallic element that is silver-white in color. Aluminum is
diamagnetic.
axis
An imaginary straight line that lies in the center of an object.
brass
An alloy or mixture of copper and zinc. Brass is diamagnetic.
cobalt
A tough, lustrous, silver-white metallic element that is highly magnetic.
compass
A tool for determining geographic direction that uses a magnetic needle as a pointer.
conductor
A material or element that allows free movement of electrons and therefore allows easy flow of
electricity. Most conductors are metals.
demagnetize
To disrupt the regular pattern of aligned magnetic domains, which eliminates a material's
attraction.
diamagnetic
A material or substance that is not magnetic.
direct current
Current that flows in one direction. Direct current does not reverse the direction of flow.
electricity
A form of energy created by the movement of electrons.
electromagnet
A powerful magnet that gains an attractive force only when current passes through it.
ferromagnetic
A material or substance that is highly magnetic, such as iron.
generator
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
geographic north
The northernmost point on the earth that lies at the top axis of rotation. Also called true north.
hydroelectric plant
An electricity-generating facility that uses the mechanical motion of water to create power
through magnetic induction.
insulator
A material that disrupts, inhibits, or prevents the transmission of sources of energy such as
heat, light, and sound.
iron
A silver-white, metallic element that is highly magnetic.
lines of flux
A magnetic field's lines of force.
lines of force
The area in and around a magnet that exhibits the powers of attraction and repulsion.
lodestone
A rock with magnetic properties that attracts other magnetic materials such as iron.
magnet
A metallic object or substance that possesses an attractive force to other metals.
magnetic axis
The line of attractive force that runs through the center of the earth. The earth's magnetic axis
differs slightly from its rotational axis.
magnetic domain
A group of atoms that have been aligned in parallel to the magnetic north and south.
magnetic field
A force of attraction that surrounds magnets and current-carrying conductors.
magnetic induction
The use of magnets to cause voltage in a conductor. Magnetic induction occurs whenever a
conductor passes through magnetic lines of flux.
magnetic north
An area of magnetic attraction in the southern hemisphere near the geographic south pole.
Compasses are designed to use this magnetic attraction in the south to point toward north.
Magnetism
Vocabulary Term
Definition
magnetism
The power of attraction and repulsion that exists in materials. Iron is an example of a common
magnetic material.
magnetized
To be made magnetic or made to attract other metals.
manganese
A grayish-white, metallic element that is not naturally magnetic but that can easily be
magnetized. Manganese is grouped with the ferromagnetic materials.
molecule
A pair or group of atoms that are chemically bound together.
motor
A machine that converts one form of energy, such as electricity, into mechanical energy or
motion.
nickel
A silver-white, metallic element that is highly magnetic. Nickel is often used in alloys.
paramagnetic
Any material that is not naturally magnetic but that can be made magnetic with some effort.
permanent magnet
A magnet that retains its attractive force once it is removed from a magnetic field.
permeability
A measure of a material's willingness to become magnetized.
platinum
A precious, grayish-white, metallic element that is paramagnetic.
polarity
A state of opposites. The north and south attractions of a magnet and the positive and negative
charges in a circuit involve polarity.
pole
One of two ends of the axis of a sphere. Poles also refer to the opposite ends of a magnet.
reluctance
A material's resistance to becoming magnetized.
residual magnetism
The attractive force that exists in an object or substance after it has been removed from a
magnetic field.
rotational axis
The center line on which a ball or sphere turns or rotates. The earth has a rotational axis.
saturation
A magnetic state in which the attractive strength of a magnet has reached its peak.
titanium
A strong, low-density, metallic element that is paramagnetic.
true north
The northernmost point on the earth that lies at the top axis of rotation. Also called geographic
north.
workholding device A device used to locate and hold a workpiece.