Magnetism

1. What are some “real life” applications of magnetism?

High speed rail.  Magnets propel light passenger trains.

Cranes can use magnets to carry large magnetic pieces of equipment or scrap.  

Magnets are used practically daily in kitchens to hold things to refrigerators from grocery lists, reminder notes, money, and whatever else can be held.

MRI/NMR uses a giant magnet used to infer the spin states of hydrogen nuclei.  From this we gain information about structures in the body or chemical structures.

2. What experiences have you had with magnets in your life?

I've used refrigerator magnets.

My son's Thomas the Tank engines are held together by magnets.  We hold them up off the tracks in long chains and watch them spin and see who can make the longest trains.  

I'm the only chemist in the world who has possibly not used NMR but can read the structures from various NMR techniques.  

3. What ideas do you have about the science of magnets?

It involves the electron configuration of the d/f-orbitals and which are paired in the same spin state and which are not (electronic configuration); this is where the term rare earth magnets come from.  It also is directly related to electricity in that it produces a field in which it may act in attractive way to things that are similarly charged.  It is considered an energy form, and we see certain wave lengths that are emitted as visible light.  

4. In the Mickey Mouse Video it says, “Well, metal does stick to magnets”?

What do you think? Will a magnet stick to these materials?
Material	Prediction	Why?
Granite	No	Lacking the right chemical make up
Aluminum	No	Thing electronic configuration is wrong
Glass	No	Silicon therefore not metalic in origin
Iron/Steel	Yes	Correct electronic configureation
Fiberboard	No	Not metallic/organic in origin
Copper	No	Think the electronic configuration is wrong
Circuit Board	Hesitant yes	Depends on "charged" and substance
Tin	Yes	Correct electronic configureation
Cardboard	No	Not metallic/organic in origin
Wood	no	Not metallic/organic in origin
Lead	Yes
Mirror	Antique ones yes, new no	Correct electronic configureation (due to lead) No lead
Plastic	No	Not metallic/organic in origin
Foam	No	Not metallic/organic in origin