Magnetic Marvels
Earth's Magnetic Field
Earth itself acts like a giant magnet with a north and south pole. The magnetic field is what makes compass needles point north.
Magnetic Poles on Move
Earth's magnetic poles are not fixed; they move over time. The magnetic north pole, for instance, is constantly drifting.
Animal Magnetism
Some animals, such as birds and bees, are believed to use Earth's magnetic field for navigation during migration.
Largest Magnet
The world's most powerful magnet is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It uses powerful magnets to steer particles around its 17-mile underground ring.
Magnetic Reversals
Over geological time, the Earth's magnetic field has reversed direction multiple times in a phenomenon known as magnetic reversals.
Levitating Magnets
If you arrange magnets in a specific way, you can create a levitating effect known as magnetic levitation, or maglev.
Magnetic Hill Illusion
Some locations, known as magnetic hills, create an optical illusion where a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope. It's all due to the surrounding landscape.
