By: Cammie Goodman

are metal object that can pull some other metal objects toward itself. is any object that can exert (use) magnetic force contain iron, nickel, or cobalt can pull objects that contain same metals does NOT have to touch an object to pull it

has 2 poles (north and south), where the magnetic force is the strongest. Opposite poles attract each other (pull close together) Like poles repel or push away from each other.

Every magnet has a magnetic field, which is the area around a magnet where it can push or pull.

You cannot really see a magnetic field, but if you sprinkle iron fillings around a magnet, the iron fillings will line up in the magnetic field. The field is strongest around the poles.

A magnet can pull on an object even if something is between the magnet and the object. Example: you use a magnet to hold a picture or a note on a refrigerator door. The refrigerator is made of steel, which contains iron. The magnet pulls on the refrigerator through the paper. Magnets can also pull through glass, wood, a solid, liquid, or a gas.

Magnetic Properties of Materials Being attracted to a magnet is a physical property of a substance. You can use this property to test materials. Objects that contain nickel, iron or cobalt are attracted to magnets. To test this, you can walk around your house with a magnet, and if the magnet sticks to an object, you know it has iron, nickel or cobalt in it.

Magnets do not attract other metals Magnets do not attract other metals. Example: A magnet will NOT attract an aluminum soda can or a penny which is made of zinc and copper

You can use a magnet to separate some mixtures.   A magnet will attract materials that contain nickel, iron or cobalt even if they are mixed with other materials. It will pull the magnetic materials away from the other parts of the mixture.

When You Work With Magnets Safety Rules: If you use iron fillings, be sure to keep your hands away from your eyes. Wash your hands when you are finished. Do not drop a magnet. Jarring a magnet can demagnetize it, or take away its magnetic properties. Do not rub two magnets together. This also demagnetizes them.

Bill Nye The Science Guy - Magnetism

Discussion Question: Suppose you have two bar magnets. The north and south poles of one magnet are marked on it. The poles of the other magnet are not marked. How can you tell which pole is which on the unmarked magnet?