Glossary
A
- align
- - to arrange in a line, facing the same direction
- alloy
- - A mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal
- atom
- - the smallest unit of matter
- attract
- - pull toward, stick to
- auroras
- - colorful bands of light that appear in the sky at night in areas around the magnetic poles
- axis of rotation
- - an imaginary line through the center of the earth around which it turns
C
- coil
- - something wound in a continuous series of loops
- compass
- - a device that indicates direction by means of a small magnet turning on a pivot, which points to Earth's magnetic north
- core
- - center of the earth; the inner core is solid iron and nickel, the outer core is liquid
D
- domain
- - tiny groups of atoms in which all the electrons have the same magnetic orientation
E
- electric motor
- - A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy
- electricity
- - energy caused by the movement of electrons through matter
- electrons
- - negatively charged particles that surround the nucleus of an atom
F
- ferromagnetic
- - group of metals that are easily magnetized: iron, nickel, cobalt
G
- generate
- - to make or produce
- generator
- - a machine that creates electricity by spinning a coil of wire inside a magnet, using a power source such water, wind, or steam
- gravity
- - the force that pulls all things toward the center of the earth
H
- hydroelectric
- - power produced by using the flow of water to spin turbines, which turn magnets inside a generator
I
- invisible
- - cannot be seen with human eye
- iron filings
- - tiny pieces of iron, filed from a larger piece
L
- legend
- - a story that has been handed out from a long time ago
M
- magnetic field
- - the space around a magnet in which a magnetic force is active
- magnetic field lines
- - visual representation of magnetic fields with curved lines moving north to south and concentrated at the poles
- magnetize
- - to cause to become a magnet
- magnetosphere
- - the area of space around a planet that is controlled by the planet's magnetic field.
- migrate
- - to move from one region to another, to change location
N
- navigate
- - to find the correct direction, to steer, manage, or guide the course
P
- penetrate
- - to go through or go into
- permanent
- - lasting, intended for a long time
- poles
- - The opposite parts of a magnet that have greatest magnetic strength
- property
- - a quality or characteristic of a substance
R
- repel
- - push away
- retain
- - keep
S
- solar wind
- - a stream of radiation and electrically charged particles that flows into space from the surface of the sun
T
- temporary
- - not lasting, existing for a short time
