Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1751 edition. Excerpt: ... METHOD OF MAKING Artificial Magnets. BEFORE we come to the Method of making Magnets, it may not be amifg to obferve, that every Magnet has two Poles, (as they are called, ) that is, two Points from which the attractive and repulfive powers feem, to fpread themfclves, and to which they are directed; at the neareft parts to which, if other circumftances be the fame, the Magnet always ads ftrongeft. One of thefe is called the North Pole, and the other the South; and that is generally, and moft properly called the rf South Pole, which, if the Magnet was put into a little boat of Wood, or other Materials, (large enough to fupport it, ) and fet afloat in water, would f This is the Senfe in which they are always underftood, by the bell Authors. See Gilbertus deMagmte. Mr. Savery in the Philof. Tranf. and feveral others, that have written upon this Subject. The Reafon of calling them thus, is, that the Pole of the Magnet, which turns towards the South, is of the fame kind with the Northern Magnetic Pole or Poles of the Earth; and contrariwife. turn turn itfelf towards the North: and that is mof t properly called the North Pole, which would turn towards the South. This is the Senfe, in which I would always be under flood when I fpcak of them. A South Pole of one Magnet always attracts the North Vole of another, and repels the South Pole; and on the contrary, a North Pole attracts the South Pole, and repels the North Pole of another. If any one therefore has a mind to touch a Needle, whofe Point he would have-turn towards the North, he begins by placing the other end of the Needle on the North Pole of the Magnet; and drawing it gradually along, he finilhes with the Point: for the Point being laft attracted, will continue to be attracted by the North.