7 Physical Science Magnetism

BUILDING BLOCKS OF SCIENCE MAGNETISM

WHAT IS MAGNETISM? Hello there. I'm MAGNETISM! I can either attract or repel. When I attract, I pull objects closer!

When I repel, I push objects away! I'm the invisible force that causes magnets to work. A magnet can attract certain metals... And that's all because of me. I just love bringing things together! But my powers don't work all of the time...

MAGNETIC MATERIALS You see, not everything is attracted to magnets. You could try all day to stick a magnet to a tree, but it just won't work! That's because wood is not magnetic. There are many other examples of nonmagnetic materials.

Glass, plastic, rubber, silver, titanium—they do nothing for me! Only certain metals, like iron and nickel, are magnetic... Magnets and magnetic materials stick together through thick and thin!

TYPES OF MAGNETS Magnets can have different shapes. Some magnets are shaped like bars. These magnets are called bar magnets. Horseshoe magnets are shaped like the letter "U" or a horseshoe. Magnets can have other shapes, too. Magnets can be weak... ...or strong.