Magnetism comprises one of the first natural forces that humans ever discovered, however, it was just lately that the full usage of magnetism has been realized and practiced upon. Many devise and technologies have magnetism working behind them, so much so that our univetse seems to be imperfect without them. For {instance|example], if you go for an ipod repair or an iphone repair then most certainly it is electromagnetism that moves these devises. Have a look at some of the interesting facts and accounts on magnetism that have been gathered through ancient times.

You may be thinking how magnets were really discovered. Legend has it that a shepherd named Magnes who used to live some 4,000 years before got his shoes attached to a rock that comprised of nails that got pulled to a rock named magnetite. Without much knowledge of the subject at that time, it was thought that the rock had magical powers.

Archimedes, a scientist of ancient Greece, is thought to have pulled the nails out of rivals ships using a magnet which ended in the sinking of all the enemy ships. It was Archimedes who realized the significance of magnetism. Besides, magnets have been used throughout ancient times for navigation reasons by sailors. They discovered that a piece of magnet suspended by a thread will every time point in the North-South direction. This is what resulted in the discovery of compasses. This is why magnetite was called the leading stone as it assisted in direction.

At times, you will see that magnets are constructed of steel or iron. However, powerful magnets can be made by alloys of metals such as iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, and so on. In older times, hammering and heating a piece of steel or iron in the north-south direction was used as a means to magnetize them. With this method, the molecules have aligned themselves in the north-south direction. Magnets are not only stones found on our planet, but all of earth itself acts as a magnet. Earth is a magnet that even comprises of the North and South Pole. When you place a non-magnetic substance in a North to South direction, it results in magnetizing it. This happens due to the presence of a magnetic field around the earth and the molecules obtain sufficient time to get aligned in the North-South direction.

The question is; what causes the earth to turn into a magnet? It is thought that this magnetic force of the earth originates from a liquid in the center of the earth that causes the earth to turn in to a giant electromagnet. It’s mainly the stream of liquid metal that produces electrical flow, and a magnetic field is created as a result of this flow of charge. Yet, the puzzling part is elaborating the source of the magnetic field that started it all in the first place. There is a hypothesis that the strong magnetic field from the sun was the cause to start the process when earth was formed. However, we can’t declare this for sure. Whatever way it started, it is really a marvel of nature.