Sample 1/25

@ Magnetic Nuts & Bolts Holder
Envy begins her exploration of Magnets.

Sample 2/25

@ Computer Hard Disk

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Sample 3/25

Cheerful Magnetic Clips
Keep your noticeboard in order with these colourful clips!

@ Cheerful Magnetic Clips
The first magnets were discovered by ancient civilisations 2500 years ago. Magnetic compasses were used extensively for navigation in Europe and China during the 12th and 13th centuries CE.

Sample 4/25

@ Magnetised Metal Spheres
Neodymium magnet (NdFeB) is a type of rare-earth magnet that is composed of a neodymium, iron, and boron alloys. General Motors and Sumitomo Special Metals invented them in 1982. The strongest permanent magnets currently available are neodymium magnets. Among their applications are cordless tools, hard disk drives, and magnetic fasteners.

Sample 5/25

@ Abstract, Magnetic Energy
"Miss Flicka, why did the bear's magnetic personality make him so popular?"
"I don't know, Envy—why?"
"He was a polar bear!"

Sample 6/25

@ Dutch Fridge Magnets
Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus all have their own magnetic fields.

Sample 7/25

@ Aurora Borealis Phenomenon
All magnets produce a magnetic force: this is called a magnetic field. This field travels from a magnet’s north pole to the south pole and is completely invisible to the human eye, however, iron filings can be used to show these fields.

Sample 8/25

Purple and Gold Aurora
Auroras occur when charged particles (electrons and protons) collide with gases in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Those collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light. As billions of flashes occur in sequence, the auroras appear to move or dance in the sky.

@ Purple and Gold Aurora
Alnico is an alloy made up of aluminium, nickel and cobalt. A strong permanent magnet can be made from Alnico alloys. Consumer electronics and industrial applications use them extensively. The material is found for example in large electric motors, microphones, loudspeakers, electric guitar pickups and microwave ovens.

Sample 9/25

@ Magnetic Levitation Traiin
"What’s the difference between a magnet and a construction site?" asked Robby.
"I don't know; what?" responded Envy.
"A construction site has more poles!"

Sample 10/25

@ Abstract Solar System
Ferrite is a ceramic compound composed of iron oxide and other elements (strontium or barium). Among the applications of ferrites are refrigerator magnets and small electric motors.

Sample 11/25

@ Ducks in a Row
"Hey, Envy—what's the difference between a pessimist and a magnet?"
"I don't know, Pickles. What is the difference?"
"A magnet has a positive side!"

Sample 12/25

@ Itty Bitty Magnets
Scientists have shown that Earth’s magnetic field is weakening. Current events have made it less attractive.

Sample 13/25

@ Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnets are used by some high-speed trains. These trains 'float' above the track, which reduces friction, helping the train to go faster.

Sample 14/25

Turquoise Northern Lights
The aurora can be seen near the poles of both the northern and southern hemisphere. In the north the display is known as the aurora borealis; in the south it is called the aurora australis. What we are seeing in these beautiful displays in the sky are atoms and molecules in our atmosphere colliding with particles from the sun. The aurora's characteristic wavy patterns and curtains of light are caused by the lines of force in the Earth’s magnetic field.

@ Turquoise Northern Lights
What attracts knights in shining armour even more than damsels in distress? Magnets!

Sample 15/25

@ Fridge Magnet Icons
Oh look ... you found a truly unique little penguin!

Sample 16/25

@ Hiking Compass
What will happen when the Earth's magnetic poles flip? I don't know, but I heard Santa's been interviewing penguins to see if they can pull a sleigh.

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@ Old Fashioned Compass
Scientists have shown that Earth’s magnetic field is weakening. Current events have made it less attractive.

Sample 18/25

@ Happy Fridge Magnet
The unit used to measure the strength of a magnet is called a tesla.

Sample 19/25

Northern Lights in Green
What causes the different colours in the aurora? Different gases give off different colours when they are heated. The same process is also taking place in the aurora. The two primary gases in the Earth’s atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen, and these elements give off different colours during an aurora display. The green we see in the aurora is characteristic of oxygen, while hints of purple, blue or pink are caused by nitrogen.

@ Northern Lights in Green
The Earth is a large magnet The Earth’s core is made up of mostly iron, which has given the Earth its own magnetic field, with both a north and south-facing pole. The Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet by deflecting solar winds and charged particles from the sun.

Sample 20/25

@ Dart Board
An electron and a proton walk into a magnetic field... ... Yes. That's it. There's no punchline. Physics isn't a joke.

Sample 21/25

Industrial Electromagnet
A scrap yard utilising an industrial strength electromagnet to deal with metal components.

@ Industrial Electromagnet
Magnetic materials are always made of metal, but not all metals are magnetic. Iron is magnetic, so any metal with iron in it will be attracted to a magnet. Steel contains iron, so a steel paperclip will be attracted to a magnet too. Most other metals, for example aluminium, copper and gold, are NOT magnetic.

Sample 22/25

@ Computer Hard Drive
The Earth's magnetic poles move about 40 kilometres each year.

Sample 23/25

Reel to Reel Tape
Some old-fashioned magnetic tape! Do you remember recording the top hits of the day on a reel-to-reel tape recorder?

@ Reel to Reel Tape
"You know, I love talking about magnets. But I try not to."
"Why's that, Envy?" asked Safeara, baffled.
"It's quite a polarizing topic!" responded Envy.

Sample 24/25

@ Physics Wallpaper
Electromagnets are used by some high-speed trains. These trains 'float' above the track, which reduces friction, helping the train to go faster.

Sample 25/25

Fridge Magnets from Poland
A variety of fridge magnets from Poland, featuring its capital city, Warsaw, and the red and white Polish flag. You could buy one doubling as a handy bottle opener!

@ Fridge Magnets from Poland
Envy has now completed her exploration of Magnets. As she prepares to go home, she receives a wonderful gift!

Envy has enjoyed her tour of Magnets, but it is time to go home now! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy exotic materials!