I recently discovered an original activity on YouTube, the hunt for metals using an ultra-powerful magnet that I will introduce later. You can find valuable objects in lakes, rivers but also in the sea. So I bought one of these powerful magnets to go hunting for metals and I wanted to share with you this new pastime .
What is a magnet?
A magnet is a piece of metal that, by its magnetic field, attracts other metals such as iron, steel, cobalt or nickel for example. They are called ferrous magnetic materials. A magnet has no effect on plastic, wood, rubber ... It has a North pole and a South pole connected by a magnetic field.
What is a magnetic field ?
A magnetic field is composed of a set of field lines which connect the two poles of the magnet, starting from the North Pole to the South Pole. The magnetic ferrous materials must imperatively be in this magnetic field to be attracted by the magnet.
It will always be composed in this way, if you cut a magnet for example, hoping to separate the two poles, you will end up with two new magnets composed of a South pole and a North pole. Similar poles repel each other and the opposite poles attract each other. A magnet therefore has the ability to attract or repel other magnets.
You will find this mechanism with the pointer of a compass. Because it is magnetized, it points to the north because it aligns with the magnetic field of the earth. You will also find magnets in old floppy disks, hard disks, videotapes and audios, metro terminals, motors ...
What is a neodymium magnet :
A neodymium magnet is a permanent magnet composed of an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron to form a tetragonal crystal system. They are distinguished from ordinary magnets by their color, strength and power. Indeed they are the most powerful permanent magnets available on the market.
My magnet :
Price : 50 dollars
Size : 90 mm
Capacity : 200 kilograms
Color : Silver
Shape : Round
Weight : 980 grams
Mine took an old shot but he’s still powerful and ready to go again!
Risks of such a magnet ?
Yes, a magnet can be dangerous to both you and your electronics because of their intense magnetic field. They can irreversibly damage certain devices and objects:
- If a child swallows several magnets, they can become attached to the intestine and lead to fatal complications.
- Two magnets could pinch the fingers or skin and cause bruises because they have a very strong adhesion force.
- Magnets can interfere with the proper functioning of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.
- Heavy loads or jerky pulls may cause the magnet to become detached from its adhesion surface. Do not rely on the specified grip strength and allow for a significant margin of safety.
- Neodymium magnets are brittle. In the event of a collision of two magnets, these may break. Avoid the collision of magnets.
- Magnet can damage, among other things, smartphones, televisions, laptops, hard drives, credit cards, data carriers, mechanical watches, hearing aids and loudspeakers due to his powerful magnetic fields.
- Most magnets contain nickel and some people develop allergic reactions following contact with nickel.
- Magnetic fields from improperly packaged magnets may interfere with air navigation equipment. In the worst case, this could cause an accident.
Did I find treasures ?
I tested my magnet in rivers and lakes to try to find valuables objects. Certainly, this activity is attractive and playful but the goal is not to return empty-handed.
My tests in the south of France:
- Le Var
- La Cagne
- Le Loup
- Le lac de Saint-Cassien
- La Siagne
I'm not going to lie to you, except for beer caps, hooks, iron bars, cans, a few pennies, nails and other worthless materials, I did not find much. I reassure myself by telling that at least I clean lakes and rivers ^^.
What I can tell you is that it is very entertaining and that it attracts octopus x). I filmed a few throws including the one with an octopus that did not want to let my magnet go (see next video). Nothing extraordinary but I will continue this activity and if one day I bring a really interesting object I will share it with you !
I hope you liked this post =).