Different shapes of magnet and their uses

Different shapes of magnet and their uses

Magnets come in a variety of shapes and sizes like bar,disc,ring,sphere, horseshoe and a number of other unique forms. Usually bigger magnets are stronger, but not always. Small magnets can be improved to increase strength by using different materials.

The shape of a magnet can tell you a lot more than size. Each magnet shape has an influence how it is used, it determines how the magnetic field lines are arranged outside of the magnet as well as pull strength. let's see below common shapes of magnets and discuss how are they used?

Bar Magnets

Magnetic field is focused at the poles and lessens at the sides. Bar magnets are generally the weakest shape, because the poles have the smallest area. however they are the most common shape used in everyday life such as refrigerator magnets, compasses, education and guitar.

Disc Magnets

We can design a magnet shape to increase the area of the poles, thereby increasing the strength of its pull. with wide & flat surface, disc magnets have a large pole area making them strong, effective magnets.

Depending on the size of the disc, this shape has a variety of uses. Disc magnets are used every day in clothing, handbag, shoes and necklaces etc fashion accessories, instruments, magnetic therapy products, home decor and lighting.

Sphere Magnets

Sphere magnets are often sold as toys and novelty items. Sphere magnets make popular desk toys such as Rattlesnake Eggs, also play popular games of buckyball.

This shape can also be used to create bracelets and necklaces. Spherical magnets are also effective tools when demonstrating how some elements and molecules are structured if you use the spheres to represent atoms.

Cylinder Magnets

Cylinder magnets are sometimes used in holding application, such as door, doorstop, kitchen ware, tools, etc common uses.

Ring Magnets

Ring magnets are usually used in speaker, with screw holes to assembly with other product for science experiments such as a demonstration of magnetic repulsion where the magnetic rings are threaded through a wooden pole. When the same poles of the magnets face each other they won't touch.

Ring magnets are also occasionally used in medicine. For example, some studies have shown that they neutralize Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) if they malfunction. ICDs correct the heart's rhythm with an electric shock if it becomes irregular. Sometimes the ICD malfunctions and can apply more shocks than are needed, which can be fatal for the patient unless a ring magnet is applied to the patient's chest.

Horseshoe Magnets

Horseshoe magnets are just bar magnets bent in a U shape. The U shape makes the magnet stronger by pointing the poles in the same direction. Originally created as a replacement for the bar magnet, this shape has become the universal symbol for magnets. It can be used to pick up metal objects of any size depending on the strength of the horseshoe magnet. For example, small horseshoes can collect paper clips while industrial horseshoe magnets are used in construction and engineering to pick up large pieces of heavy metal. Horseshoe magnets are also used at the bottom of pendulums.

Magnets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used every nook and corner of our life every day, How do you use different magnet shapes? Leave a comment and let us share it!