Versatility Of Magnets
When we think of magnets we commonly think of those cute, and often unique, items we place on filing cabinets and refrigerator doors in order to hold a variety of papers and items we need to keep an eye on or remember. While most of us rarely have an opportunity to observe the use of magnets in any other setting or format, the truth is that magnets play an important role in a variety of other uses beyond paper holders and advertising.
One of the ways in which magnets are frequently used, that many of us fail to give much thought to, are the handy little plastic cards that most people carry around in their wallets and purses. All credit cards, debit and ATM cards have a magnetic strip on the back of the card that contains the requisite information in order to contact your financial institution and make a connection with your account. If you’ve ever had a problem with one of your cards suddenly failing to work, the problem may be as simple as that shiny black strip located on the back of the card. If the magnetic strip has been damaged, the card won’t work anymore. To avoid the problem, make sure you keep it away from other items that may have magnetic properties.
You also may be surprised to learn that many, if not all of your electronic products contain magnets as well. Regular televisions and computer monitors contain an electromagnet that actually works to generate the images that you see on the screen. Loudspeakers and microphones also contain magnetic properties; however this is usually in the form of a combination of both permanent magnets and electromagnets. The two work together to carry the signal and transmit the sound.
You’ve probably heard that you should keep all those old VHS tapes you have lying around away from magnets but never really understood why other than the fact that the magnet could wipe out the data on the tape. The reason why lies behind the fact that VHS tapes are comprised of magnetic tape. When the tape comes into contact with other types of magnet, the information is destroyed; quite similar to the way in which your bank or credit card can be wiped out by contact with another magnet. Other types of media that also contain magnetic strips or tape include audio cassettes, floppy disks and hard disks.
Magnets are also commonly used in a wide variety of industrial settings for a number of purposes. Electric motors and generators typically contain magnets in order to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Similar to loudspeakers, these products usually contain a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
You can also commonly find magnets used in industrial settings in which items need to be held securely. The primary difference between the magnets used in these types of industrial settings and the uses we’re commonly familiar with is the fact that industrial magnets are generally much larger and heavier. In fact, magnets can be used to hold items that weigh hundreds of pounds or more. Rare earth magnets, some of the most powerful in the world, are the type of magnets commonly used in this kind of setting. These magnets are so strong and powerful that great care and caution must be used when working with them. When a rare earth magnet becomes attracted to another magnetic field, it can pose a serious danger and potentially injure anything or anyone that is in the path.