Science
How do magnets work?
Quick answer
A magnet is an object that pulls on certain metals, such as iron, and pushes or pulls on other magnets. Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole.
In one sentence
A magnet is an object that can pull certain metals towards it, and push or pull other magnets, without even touching them.
Explained
Most forces need things to touch: you push a door or pull a rope. Magnetism is different. It is a non-contact force, which means it can act across a gap. Hold a paper clip near a magnet and it jumps across.
Every magnet has two ends called poles: a north pole and a south pole. The rule is:
- Opposite poles attract (north and south pull together).
- Like poles repel (north and north, or south and south, push apart).
Try to push two north poles together and you can feel an invisible cushion pushing back.
The space around a magnet where its force works is called its magnetic field. You can see it by sprinkling iron filings on paper over a magnet. They line up in curved patterns from pole to pole.
Only some materials are magnetic: iron, nickel and cobalt, and mixtures containing them, such as steel. Most other things, including wood, plastic, glass, copper, aluminium, gold and silver, are not attracted.
Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet. A compass needle is a small magnet that swings round to line up with Earth's magnetic field, so it points roughly north. Sailors and explorers have used compasses for hundreds of years.
Examples
| Object | Attracted to a magnet? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steel paper clip | Yes | steel contains iron |
| Fridge door | Yes | made of steel |
| Aluminium foil | No | aluminium is not magnetic |
| Plastic ruler | No | plastic is not magnetic |
| Gold ring | No | gold is not magnetic |
key
spoon
scissors
pencil
Common mistakes
- "Magnets attract all metals." Only a few metals are magnetic. Drinks cans are often aluminium and won't stick.
- "Bigger magnets are always stronger." Strength depends on the material and how it was made. A small neodymium magnet can be much stronger than a big fridge magnet.
- "A compass points to the North Pole exactly." It points to magnetic north, which is close to but not the same as the geographic North Pole, and it slowly moves.
Quick quiz
Magnets
Check what you know with 4 quick questions.
Question 1 of 4
Which metal is attracted to a magnet?
Practise it
Try it
Go on a magnet hunt around the kitchen and record your results in a table. Then try some physics activities.
Magnets and forces activities
For grown-ups
Related topics
Forces
A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make things start moving, speed up, slow down, change direction or change shape. They are measured in newtons.
Materials
Materials are what objects are made from, such as wood, metal, plastic and glass. Each has properties, like being hard, bendy, waterproof or see-through, that suit it to some jobs.
Electricity
Electricity is the flow of tiny charged particles called electrons through a material. It powers lights, phones and machines, and it can come from batteries or the mains supply.
Compass directions
The four main compass directions are north, east, south and west. Between them are northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest.
Electric circuits
An electric circuit is a complete loop that electricity flows around. A simple circuit has a battery, wires and a component like a bulb. If the loop is broken, the electricity stops.
Friction
Friction is a force that acts when two surfaces rub or slide against each other. It slows things down and turns movement into heat, and it also stops us slipping.