Magnets and Magnetism

What is a magnet?

A magnet is an object that can pull on certain metals without touching them. That invisible pulling power is called magnetism.

Magnets come in many shapes: bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, and the round fridge magnets that hold up your drawings.

What sticks to a magnet?

Magnets only pull on a few special metals. These are called magnetic materials:

• Iron
• Steel (which is mostly iron)
• Nickel
• Cobalt

Most other things are not magnetic. Plastic, wood, glass, paper, rubber, and metals like copper and aluminium are not pulled by a magnet. Try sticking a magnet to a plastic spoon — it will just fall off!

North and south poles

Every magnet has two ends called poles: a north pole and a south pole. The poles are the strongest parts of a magnet.

Here is the magic rule:

• Opposite poles attract. North pulls toward south.
• Like poles repel. North pushes away from north, and south pushes away from south.

You can feel this! Hold two bar magnets near each other. Sometimes they snap together. Flip one around, and they push apart. The pushing and pulling are invisible forces, just like a push or a pull from your hand.

The magnetic field

The space around a magnet where its pull works is called the magnetic field. You cannot see it, but it is really there.

If you sprinkle tiny iron filings around a magnet, they line up in curved patterns. These lines show the shape of the magnetic field, flowing from the north pole to the south pole.

Earth is a giant magnet

Deep inside our planet is melted iron. This makes Earth act like a huge magnet, with a north and south magnetic pole.

A compass has a tiny magnet inside that can spin freely. It lines up with Earth's magnetic field, so the needle always points toward the north. Sailors and explorers have used compasses for hundreds of years to find their way.

Try it yourself! 🔍

Go on a magnet hunt around your home. You will need a small magnet and a notebook.

1. Walk around and gently touch your magnet to different objects: a fridge, a spoon, a coin, a toy, a door key.
2. Each time, write down whether it sticks (magnetic) or does not stick (not magnetic).
3. Look at your list. What do the magnetic objects have in common? Most will be made of iron or steel.

Bonus: Stroke a steel needle 30 times in the same direction with one end of your magnet. Then see if the needle can pick up a paperclip. You just made a magnet!

Stay safe: Keep magnets away from phones, tablets, and computers. Never swallow small magnets — they are dangerous if eaten.