How to Activate Magnetic Strips

All magnets work along the same principles.

Magnets are created by the natural magnetism of the earth, by temporary electromagnets or by already activated permanent magnets. Store-bought magnetic strips differ from plain-iron strips because they are made with a combination of magentizable and nonmagnetizable material, which allows the strip, once magnetized, to better retain its magnetic properties. While you can purchase hematite, a naturally magnetic stone, for use in the home, many other magnets for the home are artificially magnetized. Eventually, most magnets grow weaker. This happens faster when they are heated. However, there is an easy way to reactivate magnetic strips, or to activate strips that have magnetic potential using another store-bought magnet.

Things You'll Need

• Strong bar magnet
• Non-magnetic piece of iron, steel or nickel

Instructions

1. Hold a strong, already activated bar magnet in one hand.

2. Hold the first unactivated magnetic strip with the other hand.

3. Hold one end of the strong bar magnet to one end of the magnetic strip.

4. Test the magnetism of the magnetic strip against a plain piece of iron, steel or nickel.

5. Repeat this process for each magnetic strip.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel a repulsion, that means the magnetic strip is already weakly magnetized. Turn it around and touch the other end to the strong bar magnet to increase its magnetism.

• Alternatively, you can make an electromagnet out of a battery, a bar of iron and a coil of copper wire, and use that to activate the magnetic strips instead.

References

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Physics University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Ask the Van; Q & A: How Do Magnets Work
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Physics University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Ask the Van; Q & A: How Do You Make a Magnet?
• Georgia State University; Hyperphysics; Ferromagnetism