Encyclopedia of Science | Magnetism

• Earth's magnetism
• Nature of magnetism
• Types of magnets
• Origin of magnetism
• Applications of magnetism

Magnetism is a fundamental force of nature manifested by the attraction of certain materials for iron. Materials so attracted are said to be magnetic materials.

Humans have known about magnetism since at least 600 B.C. The force was almost certainly first observed in the attraction between the mineral known as lodestone, a form of magnetite, and pieces of iron. Englishman William Gilbert (1540–1603) was the first person to investigate the phenomenon of magnetism systematically using scientific methods. He also discovered that Earth is itself a weak magnet. Early theoretical investigations into the nature of Earth's...