Rare Magnets, contrary to what the term might suggest, are as common as tin and iron. However, it is true that the are manufactured with alloys made of rare earth materials. Such elements are spread below the earth's surface, making them usable but not easily exploitable. As discovered, 17 ferromagnetic rare earth elements are different from transition elements, which may not have magnetic properties. Such elements are also 3 times more effective compared to equivalent compounds such as ceramic (ferrite) or alnico.
NIB Magnets
Neodymium magnets came out in the early 1880s under efforts from General Motors and a Chinese academic body. Produced using a rare earth element (Neodymium) with boron and iron (transitional metals), the invention came to be known as NIB (Neon-Iron-Boron) magnets. One uses certain compounds for coating the magnet so that it stays protected from oxidation and subsequent decay Common elements used include Parylene, also known as epoxy resin, and nickel, tin, gold and zinc. The down side is that the magnets can fail to exhibit properties at moderate temperatures such as 210 degree Fahrenheit (for a low Curie temperature resistance).
At the end of the last millennium, NIB magnets have became easily procurable for a drop in prices, and now come in a variety of shapes and strengths. Often used by businesses and individuals, one can find them in various everyday items such as audio systems, turbine generators, flashlights and a number of other products . Used in toys, the permanent “rare magnet” has proven not as effective as samarium-cobalt magnet.
The Magnet of the last Century
With a high Curie temperature resistance (500 degrees Fahrenheit), this type of magnet uses samarium, iron and cobalt. Invented under US Air Force more than 80 years after the invention of NIB magnets, these showed greater resistance to oxidation as well. Although its powerful properties could lead one to foresee industrial benefits, they can be brittle and more expensive than NIB magnets.
Properties of Rare Earth Magnets
Magnets are graded on three accounts – which include resistance to high temperatures, strength of field and its ability to resist a countering magnetic field. The two magnets discussed above have commendable properties of magnetism, but could be losing strength and moderately high temperatures required for production and molding in some fields. However, they can be perfect for use in a large range of manufacturing and mechanical ventures. Owing to strong magnetic fields, neither neodymium nor other varieties should be placed near computers, as they could disrupt memories. The magnets should also be maneuvered carefully to avoid injuries.
Rare earth magnets have properties that could be perfect for use at home, office or a factory. Both types are applicable in different spheres of science and creation, and can be used economically for high performance.
Teachers use rare earth magnets in classrooms to instruct their students about magnetic fields to explain how invisible forces and subatomic particles work together to create magnetic force. This can be very revealing for students who have never seen anything like this before. The properties of magnets to those who know nothing about the scientific phenomenon behind it can be very puzzling. Students will be curious to find out about magnetic fields. It will stimulate their curiosity as they observe the magnet's polarity and their effects on each other. Here are some ways you can use rare earth magnets to give your students an enjoyable and complete education.
To begin, you should start off with assigning your students to perform a basic experiment. Place a large magnet on a table and then have your students drop or gently toss smaller magnets on, at, or around it. The large magnet will repel some of the magnets. Other magnets will align their poles and be attracted to the large magnet, perhaps even flipping in the air.
After that, you can assign your students to write an essay about rare earth magnets. This may not be as exciting to them or hands on, however once they have seen the magnets in action and had some experience, they will be more excited and have more enthusiasm about writing an essay on the subject. Have them explain in their paper how magnets function.
Then you can switch back to more hands on activities to keep your students engaged. Divide your class into groups and give them instructions for different experiments that they can do on their own. Once they have experimented with their magnets and have begun to understand it, have them think up their own original ideas. Help them to broaden their minds by giving them the freedom to experiment on their own.
Rare earth magnet experiments are a great option for a class science lesson because they engage the mind. Your students will have an opportunity to get in on the action and experience magnetic properties first hand. This can enable them to understand magnets on a level a textbook could never get across. It can also get them excited about learning new things. After all, motivating students to want to learn is at least half the battle. All students are capable of a degree of learning, and most of them are intelligent enough to comprehend complex concepts. The biggest issue most teachers face is getting their students motivated to learn the things they need to know. Rare earth magnets can help you accomplish all of this and help you achieve more success with your teaching than you have ever before been able to attain.
