Magnets and Magnetism

A magnet is an object that produces an invisible force around it called a magnetic field. This force can attract (pull towards) or repel (push away) certain other objects without even touching them. You can feel this push and pull if you bring two magnets close together.

A common misconception is that a magnet will stick to anything metal. In fact, it only sticks to materials containing iron, nickel or cobalt. That is why a fridge magnet sticks to a steel fridge door but slides right off an aluminium drinks can.

Every magnet has two ends called poles: a north pole and a south pole. These poles are where the magnetic force is strongest. No matter how many times you cut a magnet in half, each new piece will always have its own north and south pole.