Magnetism through 200 years

In 2020 it is 200 years since electromagnetism was discovered/invented. But the discovery of natural magnetism goes much further back than that.

As with many other discoveries, magnetism was also discovered by pure chance because some small rocks (magnetite) up in the mountains were attracted to metal.

Composed of iron and ferrite, magnetite is a rock mineral that can be made into permanent magnets.

Magnetism is used for compasses

One of the first things that people found out that they could use magnetism for was to make a compass to find their way with, because the earth itself is magnetic and has a north and a south pole. And you still use compasses to find your way today: e.g. when you are on a trip in the mountains or in the forest, but especially also on ships and in planes. The technique is so developed now that you can also find your way using coordinates and satellites, but if the technique fails, you still take out the compass and use it.

Magnetization of metals

Another thing that was quickly discovered after the discovery of magnetism was that you can magnetize some metals. Pure iron is e.g. very easy to magnetize, and it is used e.g. by craftsmen for screwdrivers, as a magnetic screwdriver can hold onto the screws more easily, so you have a higher success rate in screwing things down. Read more about magnetic metals here.< /p>

There is slightly different information about when electricity was invented, and that is not the focus of this article either. We are more interested in the link between H.C. Ørsted and magnetism.

Who discovered electromagnetism?

Hans Christian Ørsted was very interested in science and electricity. And during an experiment with chemical batteries in 1820 (consisting of, among other things, iron, copper and citric acid) he discovered - again by chance - electromagnetism. And let it not be a lie, it was via a compass that "got in the way" that he found out that electricity affects magnetism. And with subsequent experiments, he found out that with the help of electricity you can transform metal into magnets. What we know as electromagnetism.

Can you make electricity with magnets?

Then experiments were carried out the other way: can you make electricity with magnets? And yes, you can. When magnets move, you can create electricity.