Magnetic recording media:VHStapes contain a reel ofmagnetic tape. The information that makes up the video and sound is encoded on the magnetic coating on the tape. Commonaudio cassettesalso rely on magnetic tape. Similarly, in computers,floppy disksandhard disksrecord data on a thin magnetic coating.
Credit,debit, andATMcards: All of these cards have a magnetic strip on one side. This strip encodes the information to contact an individual's financial institution and connect with their account(s).
Commontelevisionsandcomputer monitors: TV and computer screens containing acathode ray tubeemploy an electromagnet to guide electrons to the screen.Plasma screensandLCDsuse different technologies.
Speakersandmicrophones: Most speakers employ a permanent magnet and a current-carrying coil to convert electric energy (the signal) into mechanical energy (movement which creates the sound). Thecoilis wrapped around abobbinattached to the speakercone, and carries the signal as changing current which interacts with the field of the permanent magnet. Thevoice coilfeels a magnetic force and in response moves the cone and pressurizes the neighboring air, thus generatingsound. Dynamic microphones employ the same concept, but in reverse. A microphone has a diaphragm or membrane attached to a coil of wire. The coil rests inside a specially shaped magnet. When sound vibrates the membrane, the coil is vibrated as well. As the coil moves through the magnetic field, a voltage isinducedacross the coil. This voltage drives a current in the wire that is characteristic of the original sound.
Magnetic hand separator for heavy minerals.
Electric motorsandgenerators: Some electric motors rely upon a combination of an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, and much like loudspeakers, they convert electric energy into mechanical energy. A generator is the reverse: it converts mechanical energy into electric energy by moving a conductor through a magnetic field.
Medicine: Hospitals useMagnetic Resonance Imagingto spot problems in a patient's organs without invasive surgery.
Transformers: Transformers are devices that transfer electric energy between two windings of wire that are electrically isolated but arecoupled magnetically.
Chucks: Chucks are used in themetalworkingfield to hold objects. Magnets are also used in other types of fastening devices, such as themagnetic base, themagnetic clampand therefrigerator magnet.
Compasses: A compass (or mariner's compass) is a magnetized pointer free to align itself with a magnetic field, most commonlyEarth's magnetic field.
Art: Vinyl magnet sheets may be attached to paintings, photographs, and other ornamental articles, allowing them to be attached to refrigerators and other metal surfaces.
ScienceProjects: Many topic questions are based on magnets. For example: how is the strength of a magnet affected by glass, plastic, and cardboard?
Magnets have many uses intoys. M-tic uses magnetic rods connected to metal spheres forconstruction. Note the geodesic pyramid
Toys: Given their ability to counteract the force of gravity at close range, magnets are often employed in children's toys such as theMagnet Space WheelandLevitronto amusing effect.
Magnets can be used to make jewellery. Necklaces and bracelets can have a magnetic clasp, or may be constructed entirely from a linked series of magnets and ferrous beads.
Magnets can pick up magnetic items (iron nails, staples, tacks, paper clips) that are either too small, too hard to reach, or too thin for fingers to hold. Some screwdrivers are magnetized for this purpose.
Magnets can be used in scrap and salvage operations to separate magnetic metals (iron, steel, and nickel) from non-magnetic metals (aluminium, non-ferrous alloys, etc.). The same idea can be used in the so-calledmagnet test, in which an auto body is inspected with a magnet to detect areas repaired using fiberglass or plastic putty.
Magnetic levitation transport, ormaglev, is a form of transportation that suspends, guides and propels vehicles (especially trains) through electromagnetic force. The maximum recorded speed of a maglev train is 581 kilometers per hour (361 mph).
Magnets may be used to serve as afail-safedevice for some cable connections. For example, the power cords of some laptops are magnetic to prevent accidental damage to the port when tripped over. TheMagSafepower connection to the Apple MacBook is one such example.