Temporary Magnets

We have seen a variety of magnets around us in our lives, unlike a bar magnet or a horseshoe magnet. Almost all the magnets that you come across are acritical and possess a magnetic field around them. Though our scientists are constantly trying to knack the augmentation of the magnetic force and why it exists. There are various shapes, types, and forms of a magnet, and each possesses its unique characteristics.

In this tutorial, we will cover the definition of a temporary magnet, with detailed information of its existence, its types, the process of creating it, and demagnetize it to provide you a better insight into the topic.

What is a temporary magnet?

Temporary magnets are a type of magnet that occurs artificially (human-made) in nature. These magnets are created from soft metals. Magnetism can be induced in a magnetic material in the presence of a permanent magnetic field or electronic current, or any other external magnetic field. Those materials are known as Permanent magnets. These magnets lose their magnetic property once you remove the magnetic field. For Example, Paperclips, iron nails, and similar materials act as temporary magnets in the presence of an external magnetic field.

In a nutshell, a Temporary Magnet:

1. Can only form the magnetic field in the presence of a permanent or stronger magnet. In simple terms, temporary magnets require assistance from an external source to pull other objects and magnets.
2. Necessitate support from the more significant external force to exercise energy on other materials.

What Can Be Considered a Temporary Magnet?

Below given are few essential points that would assist you in identifying the properties of a Temporary Magnet:

1. You can easily make a temporary magnet with the assistance of magnetic objects.
2. Temporary magnets are available in various types and forms. For instance, an electromagnet is also a type of temporary magnet that retains the magnetic properties whenever the ion coils inside it pass through an electrical current. Therefore making it active to react with nearby objects.
3. The above example of electromagnets is one of the more prominent temporary magnets that briefly explains the concept of temporary magnets, how it works and demonstrates that electromagnets will not act without a more robust magnetic field or electric current (in the case of electromagnets).
4. The electromagnet is also known as artificial magnets because they are made up of a network of electric coiled wires instead of a more natural magnetizing method.
5. Apart from electromagnets, there are other examples of temporary magnets you might be using daily without knowing their exact nature, such as doorbells or complex motors. Temporary magnets can include any magnetic material that can be converted into a magnet for a short period. Hence they are termed "temporary" magnets.
6. Since temporary magnets can only use their magnetic force in distinct controlled circumstances, the material will not retain its properties after the external magnetic field forces have worn off.
7. Though it is almost impossible to name each substance that can be regarded as a temporary magnet, therefore it is necessary to note that temporary magnets can only be formed through an external magnetic field.
8. To be more precise, the process of temporary magnetism is done by inducing the material in direct contact with a permanent magnet, possessing a strong magnetic field.
9. Hence we can conclude that temporary magnets can be quickly created and destroyed.
10. The temporary magnet gets demagnetized when the stronger magnetic field is removed from it. Therefore, all the temporary magnets are not considered strong magnets as they are dependent on other strong magnets. Their magnetic properties become active only in the presence of an external magnetic source.

Types of Temporary Magnets

Temporary magnets are created through soft metals and only hold their magnetic properties if any external magnetic field, unlike a permanent magnet or electronic current, is near it. Commonly used temporary magnets involve iron nails and paperclips, pulled or attracted by a strong magnet.

Another typical example of a temporary magnet is an electromagnet that preserves the magnetic properties whenever electrical current is passed through it. However, the strength and polarity of Electromagnets may vary depending on the coil wire (made up of iron core) used and various other factors. You have electromagnets all across you, and you even used them in the form of everyday objects such as doorbells, motors, etc.

How to Make a Temporary Magnet

Magnets are made when all the atoms (specifically electrons) in the object point in the same direction. The common ways to produce a temporary magnet are as follows:

1. Drawing the object near to any strong magnet.
2. Beating the object when it is present in a magnetic field.
3. Stroking the object on a magnet.
4. In the presence of an external electrical field.

Demagnetize a Temporary Magnet

In nature, magnets are usually formed when all the atoms inside a material align themselves with the north pole for one direction and the south pole in another direction. This is valid in the case of a temporary magnet, and that's how they gain their magnetic property.

Whenever the atoms of a temporary object are shaken, for instance, the object is dropped on the ground, it will demagnetize itself. It will gradually revert to its natural non-magnetic phase.

Difference between Permanent Magnets & Temporary Magnets

Magnets are usually classified into two broad categories, i.e., permanent magnets and temporary magnets. Though we have already covered the detailed description and characteristics of temporary magnets, the insights regarding permanent magnets are worth considering.

To fetch a better understanding of a permanent magnet and a temporary magnet, we will be comparing their features. Please refer to the below table to find the detailed differentiation between a temporary magnet and permanent magnet: