When exploring the conductivity of magnets, we find an interesting phenomenon: why do some magnets conduct electricity while others do not? There are many complex and interesting reasons behind this.
Generally speaking, metal magnets, such as those made of iron, cobalt, nickel and their alloys, have good electrical conductivity, while ferrite magnets are of the non-conductive type. There are differences in the electrical resistance of different magnets, and their conductivity coefficients depend mainly on the composition they contain. Part of the magnet resistance is large, which will result in the circuit, the magnet itself produces a voltage division, so that the voltage across the load is reduced, and in serious cases, the load may not work properly.
Non-conductive ferrite magnets are not made of metal but are an oxide ceramic magnetic material. As its main component is the poor conductivity of the oxide, it is not surprising that it does not conduct electricity. For objects that do conduct electricity, we call them conductors, i.e., materials through which electricity can pass easily.
Iron-cobalt magnets, for example, have good conductivity. Neodymium magnets can also conduct electricity, and if the surface is plated with nickel, copper and other metals, the conductivity will be further enhanced. However, it should be noted that the magnet conducts electricity and the ordinary iron conductive principle is different. In the magnet conductive process, it is an internal self-induced current. The electrical resistance of a substance is determined by its conductivity, its length and its cross-sectional area. A conductor can conduct electricity because of the presence of a large number of freely movable charges within it. For solution conductors, usually formed by dissolving an electrolyte in a solvent, the solution produces a large number of positive and negative ions, which are free-moving charges that make the solution electrically conductive.
So, when a magnet rusts, can it still conduct electricity? Although pure rust can not be attracted by the magnet, rust still has a certain conductivity. Because rust is still essentially iron oxides, only its internal structure and properties have changed, but still retains part of the conductive properties of metal oxides.
In addition, it should be clear that the magnetic field of the magnet itself does not have conductivity because the magnetic field is neither a conductor nor an insulator. Magnets and magnetic fields are two different concepts, and magnetic fields exist around magnets. Overall, common metal-based magnets are usually capable of conducting electricity, while magnetic fields are not.
