Magnetism | Definition, Examples, Physics, Facts | Britannica magnetism, phenomenon associated with magnetic fields, which arise from the motion of electric charges This motion can take many forms It can be an electric current in a conductor or charged particles moving through space, or it can be the motion of an electron in an atomic orbital Magnetism is also associated with elementary particles, such as the electron, that have a property called spin
How Magnets Work - HowStuffWorks Ferrites or ceramic magnets: These are like those used in refrigerator magnets and elementary-school science experiments They contain iron oxide and other metals in a ceramic composite A ceramic magnet known as lodestone, or magnetite, was the first magnetic material discovered and occurs naturally Even though the ceramic magnet has been around for so long, they weren't commercially produced