91 Magnets-High

Magnets Written by Katherine Follett

Introduction Do you use magnets? Do they hold your pictures on a refrigerator? Do they hold your school binder closed? Magnets are usually made from metal. Most are made from a metal called iron. Magnets come in many shapes and sizes. Let's find out how magnets work and how we use magnets.

Magnets and Force Magnets have force. A force is a push or pull that moves something. The force in magnets is called magnetism. Magnets pull on things made of metal. They also pull and push other magnets. Magnets cannot push or pull wood, plastic, or glass. They do not push or pull some metals, such as copper.

Magnets Have Poles All magnets have two ends, or poles. The poles of a magnet have the strongest push and pull. One end of a magnet is the north pole. The other end is the south pole. The north pole of one magnet will attract the south pole of another magnet. This means that they will pull toward each other. It can be hard to pull them apart.

If you point the north pole of one magnet at the north pole of another magnet, they will not attract. They will repel each other. This means that they will push each other away. In the same way, the south pole of one magnet will repel the south pole of another magnet. It is very difficult to make two north poles or two south poles touch.

Lines of Force To move a bicycle or to lift a box, you have to touch the bike or the box. But magnets are different. Magnets can make things move without touching them. How can they do that? The pull of a magnet works in lines known as lines of force. Magnetic lines of force flow out of the north pole. They flow back in at the south pole. Lines of force are all around a magnet.