The Various Shapes of Magnets and Their Uses

Bar Magnets. A magnet's power is focused at the poles and lessens at the sides. ...

Horseshoe Magnets. Horseshoe magnets are just bar magnets bent in a U shape. ...

Disc Magnets. ...

Sphere Magnets. ...

Cylinder Magnets. ...

Ring Magnets.

The three types of magnets are as follows:-

• Temporary magnets.
• permanent magnets.
• electromagnets.

Temporary magnets :-

Temporary magnets become magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field. They lose their magnetism gradually, when the magnetic field is removed. Some irons and iron alloys, as well as paper clips and nails, function as temporary magnets.

Uses of temporary magnets :

• Help separate different types of metal-based materials.
• Used in electromagnets to conduct electricity in motors.
• Used in cranes to move much larger and weaker magnetic metals.

Permanent magnets :-

Permanent magnets do not easily lose their magnetism. These magnets may be naturally-occurring (“rare-earth”) elements, or chemical compounds.

Permanent magnet examples include Alnico (an alloy of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt) and ferrites (ceramic-like material made from a mix of iron oxides with nickel, strontium, or cobalt).

Uses of Permanent magnets:-

• Permanent magnets are used in hard drives, motors, cars, generators, televisions, phones, headphones, speakers, transducers, sensors etc. The most common use of a magnet is the pulling force to attract other magnetic items but it has various functions in electronic tools as well.

Electromagnets:-

Electromagnets are created by running an electrical current through a coil with a metal core. The energized coil creates a magnetic field. When the current is shut off, the magnetic field disappears.

Electromagnets are preferred for applications that require strength including rail road tracks, motor engines, MRI machines, and cranes. They’re also used in computer and television hardware.

Uses of Electromagnets

• Generators, motors, and transformers.
• Electric buzzers and bells.
• Headphones and loudspeakers.
• Relays and valves.
• Data storage devices like VCRs, tape recorders, hard discs, etc.
• Induction cooker.
• Magnetic locks.
• MRI machines.