The spelling of the phrase "permanent magnet" is influenced by the sound of the spoken English language. In phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈpɜː.mə.nənt ˈmæɡ.nət/. The phonemes "per" are represented by /ˈpɜː/, while "man" is represented by /mən/ and "net" is represented by /nət/. The stress falls on the first syllable, "per". A permanent magnet is a material that produces a magnetic field continuously, even without an electric current passing through it.
A permanent magnet refers to a solid object that produces its own magnetic field continuously without the need for external sources of energy. It is made from a material that possesses magnetic properties and retains its magnetism over an extended period or indefinitely. The magnetism created by these objects is considered permanent as it remains stable and does not fade over time, unless subjected to certain external factors.
Permanent magnets are commonly found in various electrical devices, such as electric motors, generators, and speakers, where they play a critical role in generating and manipulating magnetic fields. They consist of microscopic magnetic domains aligned in the same direction, creating a net magnetic field. The most commonly used materials for permanent magnets are ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, or a combination of these elements, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, as they possess high magnetic properties.
The strength of a permanent magnet is measured by its magnetic field or magnetic flux density, commonly referred to as its magnetic strength or magnetic induction. This is typically represented by its magnetic field lines, which describe the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field surrounding the magnet.
Permanent magnets have numerous applications in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medicine. Their ability to retain magnetism without the need for a continuous power supply makes them highly useful in a wide range of technologies and devices that require a constant and controlled magnetic field.
The word "permanent" originated from the Latin word "permanens", which is derived from the Latin verb "manere", meaning "to remain". The term "magnet" originated from the ancient Greek word "magnēs", which referred to magnetic stones discovered in the region of Magnesia in Greece. These stones were believed to possess mysterious attractive properties. Over time, the words "permanent" and "magnet" were combined to describe a type of magnet that retains its magnetic properties over an extended period without the need for external influences.