 Smallest particle of an element – ATOM  Proton- inside nucleus and carries positive charge  Neutron- inside nucleus and carries no charge  Electron- surrounding nucleus and carried a negative charge  A spinning electron produces a magnetic field that makes the electron behave like a tiny magnet

 Magnetic Domain- a group of atoms that have their magnetic fields aligned  In a magnetized material, all or most of the magnetic domains are arranged in the same direction

 Ferromagnetic Material- a material that shows strong magnetic properties  Ex: iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium  Ferrite – mixture of substances that contain ferromagnetic materials  Ferrite is most commonly used magnet, but are brittle and chip easily

 Magnets can be made, destroyed, or broken apart  Temporary magnet- a magnet made from material that easily loses its magnetism  Ex: needle, paperclip  Permanent Magnet – a magnet made from a material that keeps its magnetism for a long time

 If you break a magnet in two… you get two new magnets!