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Magnetic Terminology

Magnets have their own language, too. Here's some of our key terminology explained.

Anistropic Magnet	A magnet having preferred orientation so that the magnetic characteristics are better along one axis than along any other axis.
Coercive Force	The demagnetising force in oersteds corresponding to zero magnetic induction in a magnetic material after saturation.
Electromagnet	Electromagnets are non-permanent magnets that are created when electric current is passed through a coil that surrounds a soft metal core. The electricity passing through the coil induces a magnetic field. The strength of the field depends on the strength of the electrical current and the number of coils. The polarity is determined by the direction of the current flow, and hence electromagnets can easily be ‘reversed.’ Electromagnets are used in televisions, trains, computers, electric motors, telephones and many other devices.
Flux Density	The number of lines or maxwells per unit area in a section normal to the direction of the flux.
Gauss	Unit of flux density.
Isotropic Magnet	A magnet having the same magnetic characteristics along any axis or direction.
North Pole	The North Pole of a magnet is the pole that is attracted by the Geographic North Pole.
Oersted	The cgs unit of magnetising force.
Pole	Magnetic Poles are the surfaces from which the invisible lines of magnetic flux emanate and connect on return to the magnet.
Remanence	The magnetic induction which remains in a magnetic circuit after the removal of an applied magnetomotive force. If there is an air gap in the magnetic circuit, the reminance will be less than the residual induction.
South Pole	The South Pole of a magnet is the pole that is attracted by the Geographic South Pole.
Temporary Magnet	A material (usually iron or soft steel) that shows magnetic properties only while exposed to an external magnetic field. Temporary magnets retain only a very small field after the active power of the external magnet is removed.