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28.2: Introduction

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    29277
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    A material exhibits magnetic properties when electrons align in a particular way within the material.  Each electron is basically a tiny magnet and when the magnetic fields of the electrons are aligned within a material, the magnetic moments of the electrons add together making the entire material magnetic.  All magnets have both a north seeking pole and a south seeking pole which are based on the magnetic moment positioning of the electrons.  Opposite poles are attracted together, while like poles repel.  A magnet can induce magnetism in a ferromagnetic material.  Iron filings are a ferromagnetic material, and thus, exhibit magnetic effects when they are near a magnet, and align themselves with the magnetic field of the magnet.

    clipboard_e57fd9a3f15ce3077a1c9f3cdf613ab81.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Unmagnetized
    clipboard_e016a2cdb6014a8abec72c6d9898d0e48.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Magnetized

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