Lesson 1 Summary - Magnets and Magnetic Fields

A magnet is any object that attracts iron, or iron- like metals.

All magnets have two poles, or ends of the magnet, where the force of the magnet is strongest.  We call these poles North (N) and South (S).


If you break a magnet into pieces, each piece will have both a North and a South pole.  It’s not possible to have a single magnetic pole.


The force of attraction or repulsion between two magnets is called their magnetic force:

  • Like poles repel each other (N with N, or S with S)

  • Unlike poles attract each other (N with S)


All magnets are surrounded by a magnetic field.  This means that magnets can attract and repel each other (or magnetic materials) without having to physically touch each other.


When you combine magnetic fields, they form a stronger magnetic field.  This can be a field of attraction or repulsion, depending on the poles you bring together.


The Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field, as well.  Compass needles are permanent magnets that spin around their middles in order to determine direction, since they will respond to the earth’s magnetic field.

  • The Earth’s Geographic North Pole (over Alaska and Canada) is actually a Magnetic South pole.  That’s why the North pole of a compass points to the North pole of the Earth.


Materials that can be attracted to a magnet, such as an iron nail, or steel paperclip, are called magnetic materials.  They contain ferromagnetic elements, such as:

  • Iron

  • Nickel

  • Cobalt

  • Steel is not an element, but contains iron, and, as such, is ferromagnetic.


What makes a magnet a magnet?  All atoms have magnetic north and south poles because they contain electrons.  We call these magnetic poles of atoms magnetic domains:

  • In a permanent nonmagnet, the magnetic domains are askew (all jumbled up).  Their magnetic fields cancel each other out, and no magnetism results.  Plastic pens, pieces of paper, and even people fall into this category.

  • In a permanent magnet, the magnetic domains are always aligned (all pointing in the same direction).  Their magnetic fields add to one another, and the item acts as a magnet.

  • Some materials have domains that are normally not lined up, but that can become lined up if a magnetic field is applied to them.  These objects (such as electromagnets, iron nails, and steel paperclips) are called temporary magnets.  They are magnets for a short time only, and only when their magnetic domains are fully aligned.