Magnets and Electricity Basics

Magnets and Magnetic Force#

Have you ever felt a magnet snap together or push away from another magnet? That invisible force is fascinating — and it follows very clear rules!

What Is a Magnet?#

A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic force — an invisible force that can attract (pull) certain materials or repel (push away) other magnets.

What Do Magnets Attract?#

Magnets attract materials that contain iron, nickel, or cobalt. These are called magnetic materials. Most other materials — wood, plastic, glass, copper, aluminum — are non-magnetic and are not attracted to magnets.

Test it yourself:

• Paper clip (iron) → attracted by magnet
• Plastic ruler → NOT attracted
• Copper coin → NOT attracted (copper is non-magnetic)
• Iron nail → attracted

Poles: North and South#

Every magnet has two ends called poles — a north pole (N) and a south pole (S).

The rules of magnetic poles:

• Opposite poles attract: North and South pull toward each other (N attracts S)
• Like poles repel: North and North push apart; South and South push apart (N repels N, S repels S)

Memory trick: Opposites attract, likes repel!

Magnetic Force Fields#

A magnet's influence dös not stop at its surface — it extends outward in all directions into a region called a magnetic field. You can see a magnetic field's shape by placing a magnet under a piece of paper and sprinkling iron filings on top. The filings line up along curved lines called field lines that go from the north pole to the south pole.

Magnets in Everyday Life#

• Refrigerator magnets
• Cabinet door clasps
• Magnetic compasses (Earth itself is a giant magnet — the needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field)
• MRI machines in hospitals use powerful magnets
• Credit card stripes store data magnetically