Forces and Movement Forces and Movement Lesson 03 – The Force of Magnets

The Force of Magnets

Vocabulary

Read the vocabulary terms to understand the reading better.

Attract

To attract means to pull towards.

Magnet

A magnet is a type of rock or metal that pulls on other magnets or certain metals.

Magnetic Force

Magnetic force is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain types of metals.

Pole

A pole is either of the ends of a magnet.

Repel

To repel means to push away.

A magnetic force is the push or pull action of a magnet. This force can move objects without touching them.

What Do Magnets Push?

Magnets can repel, or push away, other magnets. Magnets have two ends. One end of the magnet is called the north pole. The other end of the magnet is called the south pole.

The north pole of one magnet will push away the north pole of another magnet. The south pole of one magnet will push away the south pole of another magnet. So two north poles of two magnets repel each other. Two south poles also repel each other.

What Do Magnets Pull?

Magnets can also attract, or pull, on each other. Opposite poles on magnets attract each other. The north pole of one magnet will attract the south pole of another magnet.

There are many types of metals. Some metals are magnetic and some are not. Iron and nickel are two types of metals that are magnetic. A magnet has a pulling force on iron and nickel. Magnets are attracted to those metals.

Why Do Magnets Stick to Some Metals?

A magnet keeps pulling on a metal object. The magnet pulls even when it is touching the object. That is why a magnet does not fall off a refrigerator door. The pulling force of the magnet keeps the magnet stuck to the door.