How Magnetism Shapes Navigation and Modern Innovations

As explained in EM Course’s article, “Introduction to Magnetism,” magnetism has been a fundamental force throughout history. It was first observed in lodestones, naturally magnetized pieces of magnetite that could attract iron. These early magnetic materials were integral to navigation, with 11th-century Chinese scientist Shen Kuo documenting the use of magnetic needle compasses for improving accuracy in determining true north.

Magnetism manifests in various forms, including diamagnetism, which is a material’s tendency to repel an applied magnetic field. Diamagnetism appears in materials like copper and carbon, where no unpaired electrons exist. This phenomenon plays a critical role in technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), offering non-invasive, three-dimensional imaging for disease detection and treatment.

Magnetism’s evolution from early navigation tools to modern healthcare innovations underscores its importance in both historical and scientific contexts.

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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of EMCourse.com.