Question

State two possible origins of the term magnetism.

Answer 1

Magnetism is the study of magnetic phenomena that are driven by the presence and deviation of magnetic fields. It is a branch under the combined study of electromagnetism and deals with the formation of magnetic fields and the behavior of bodies in the presence of magnetic fields.

Complete step-by-step answer:
The term magnetism has been around for a long time. The earliest origins of the term magnetism can be found in Greek literature where ‘Magnesian’ stone showed peculiar properties wherein it attracted certain objects made from iron.
Another origin of the term magnetism can be due to the discovery of lodestones which attracted the iron nails in people’s shoes in ancient times and made it difficult for them to walk in places where there was a large presence of these kinds of rocks. Lodestones are nothing but the aggregates of the mineral ‘magnetite’ from which the term magnetism can be said to be derived.

Additional information:
Magnetism and electricity are related to each other as has been demonstrated and proved in numerous experiments. In fact they are different branches of a wider common field of study known as electromagnetism.

Note: Students often think that the origin of the term magnetism has something to do with the element magnesium since the two words sound quite similar. However they must remember that magnesium has nothing to do with magnetism and magnesium, in fact, does not even show magnetic properties or react to the presence of other magnetic fields around it.