What is Magnetism? What Causes It?

Magnetism is a very weak version of the nuclear force. It is caused by creating a very small shift in the position of the nuclei in the atoms. Obviously this can only happen if atoms have a crystal like structure.

Nuclei Shift in Magnetics

Obviously the above is a very simplified example.

Permanent magnets need a mixture of atoms to allow the more stable atoms to lock the more susceptible atoms (say iron) into a permanent magnetic state.

Author – Brian Williams.

See How to Built an Atom