Discover Magnetic Forces, Fields, and How Magnets Interact

When you bring the north pole of one magnet close to the south pole of another magnet, the two magnets attract they pull strongly toward each other. Opposite poles always attract!

When you bring two north poles together, or two south poles together, the magnets repel they push away from each other. Like poles always repel. You cannot make like poles stick together no matter how hard you try.

Magnetic materials are materials that are attracted to magnets. The most common magnetic materials are iron and steel. A steel paper clip, an iron nail, and a steel screw will all be pulled toward a magnet.

Non-magnetic materials are NOT attracted to magnets. Wood, plastic, rubber, glass, copper, and aluminum are all non-magnetic. Even though aluminum is a shiny metal, a magnet will not attract it. This is why a magnet sticks to a steel refrigerator door but not to a wooden door.

The magnetic field is the invisible area around a magnet where its pushing and pulling force can be felt. You cannot see a magnetic field, but you can see its effect like when a paper clip moves toward a magnet without being touched!

Magnetic force gets weaker as you move an object farther away from the magnet. The closer the magnet is, the stronger the pull. The farther away it is, the weaker the pull becomes. This is different from Gravitational Forces, which always pulls objects downward toward Earth.

Magnetic force can also pass through non-magnetic materials like paper, plastic, and wood without the magnet touching the object. This is why a magnet under a wooden table can still move a paper clip sitting on top!

A compass is a tool used for finding direction. It has a small magnetized needle that always points toward Earth's magnetic north pole. This works because Earth itself acts like a giant magnet with its own north and south magnetic poles!

An electromagnet is a special type of magnet created by running electricity through a coiled wire. Unlike regular magnets, an electromagnet can be switched on and off. You can learn more about how different forces compare in Force Strength, Effects of Different Forces.

Magnet: A magnet is an object that attracts certain metals, like iron and steel, toward it using an invisible force called magnetism.

Poles: Poles are the two ends of a magnet the north pole and the south pole where the magnetic force is the strongest.

North Pole: The north pole is one end of a magnet. When two north poles face each other, they push apart (repel).

South Pole: The south pole is the other end of a magnet. A north pole and a south pole will always pull toward each other (attract).

Attract: To attract means to pull an object closer using magnetic force. Opposite poles (north and south) always attract each other.

Repel: To repel means to push away. Like poles (north-north or south-south) always repel each other.

Magnetic Field: The magnetic field is the invisible region around a magnet where its pushing and pulling force can be felt by objects nearby.

Magnetic Materials: Magnetic materials are materials that are attracted to magnets. Iron and steel are the most common magnetic materials you will encounter.

Non-Magnetic Materials: Non-magnetic materials are materials that are NOT attracted to magnets. Wood, plastic, rubber, copper, aluminum, and glass are all non-magnetic.

Magnetism: Magnetism is the overall invisible force that magnets use to push and pull certain objects. It is the force behind all magnetic interactions.

Compass: A compass is a tool that uses a small magnetized needle to help you find direction. The needle always points toward Earth's magnetic north pole.

Electromagnet: An electromagnet is a magnet created by running electricity through a coiled wire. You can turn an electromagnet on and off by controlling the electricity.

Bar Magnet: A bar magnet is a straight, rectangular magnet with a north pole at one end and a south pole at the other end.

You can test which materials are magnetic by holding a magnet close to different objects and watching what happens. Try testing a steel bolt, a glass marble, a plastic spoon, and an aluminum can. Only the steel bolt will be attracted!

You can also sprinkle iron filings around a bar magnet to see the shape of its magnetic field. The iron filings will line up in curved patterns that loop from one pole to the other, showing you exactly where the magnetic field is strongest. This connects to what you learned about Motion in Materials, Movement Through Air and Water forces act on objects even when you cannot see them directly.

You already explored Magnetic Forces, Attraction and Repulsion, which gave you a strong foundation for understanding how magnets push and pull. You also learned about Gravitational Forces and Their Effects on Objects, which helps you compare magnetic force to gravity. Remember: magnetic force can push OR pull, but gravity only pulls!

Understanding magnetic forces also connects to Balanced Forces and Equal Opposing Forces and Unbalanced Forces and Net Force and Motion when two magnets repel with equal force, the forces are balanced. When one magnet is stronger, the forces are unbalanced and motion happens.

After mastering magnetic forces, you will be ready to explore Machine Types: Levers, Pulleys, and Inclined Planes and Work and Force and Mechanical Advantage, where forces are used to make tasks easier. Later, you will discover Energy Types: Potential and Kinetic Energy and Energy Conversion and Transformations Between Forms, where magnetic force plays a role in generating electricity. You will even learn about Specialized Senses: Echolocation, UV Sensing, and Magnetoreception, where some animals can actually sense Earth's magnetic field!

Your learning journey through forces connects many important ideas together. You built your foundation with Magnetic Forces, Attraction and Repulsion and Force Strength and Effects of Different Forces. Now you are deepening that understanding with magnetic fields and interactions.

The forces you study here connect directly to Balanced Forces and Equal Opposing Forces and Unbalanced Forces, Net Force and Motion magnetic repulsion and attraction are perfect examples of these force types in action. Understanding how forces work also prepares you for Machine Types: Levers, Pulleys, and Inclined Planes and Work and Force and Mechanical Advantage.

Looking ahead, your knowledge of magnetism will support your understanding of Energy Types: Potential and Kinetic Energy, Energy Conversion and Transformations Between Forms, and the fascinating topic of Specialized Senses including Magnetoreception.