Magnets: Pull, Push and What They Attract

A note held on the fridge, a cabinet door that clicks shut, a machine that sorts cans: magnets are everywhere. Let’s find out how distance and the way a magnet faces change its force, how magnets can solve a problem, and which materials a magnet attracts.

This lesson takes about 10 minutes. You can take a break after each part.

Before you start

Magnets: Pull, Push and What They Attract

Learning objectives

  • I can explain how distance and the way magnets face change their pull or push.
  • I can use magnets to solve a simple problem, like keeping a door closed.
  • I can tell which materials a magnet attracts, and say that it does not attract all metals.

Pull or push?

Two poles, two forces

Every magnet has two ends called poles: a north pole and a south pole.

Different poles attract (pull together). The same poles repel (push apart). A magnet acts without touching, and its force gets stronger when it gets closer.

Three rows of two bar magnets, each half red and half blue. In rows 1 and 2, the facing ends are the same color and arrows push the magnets apart. In row 3, the facing ends are different colors and arrows pull the magnets together.
Same poles face each other: the magnets push apart. Different poles face each other: they pull together.
A hand holds a magnet above a pile of paper clips three times. Close to the pile, many clips hang from the magnet. A little higher, only two clips. Far above, no clip at all.
The closer the magnet, the stronger its pull: it lifts more paper clips.

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Solving problems with magnets

Magnets at work

Engineers use magnets to solve problems. A magnetic latch keeps a cabinet door closed. A big magnet sorts steel cans from aluminum cans at a recycling center.

To find the best design, we test each solution the same way and compare the results.

A smiling boy closes the door of a small wooden cabinet. A magnet on the door meets a metal plate on the frame. On the table: his design drawings, a pencil, small magnets, screws and a screwdriver.
A magnetic latch keeps the door closed. The boy draws his designs, builds them, then tests them.

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What does a magnet attract?

Not all metals

A magnet attracts objects made of iron or steel: a nail, a paper clip, a steel can. It does not attract wood, plastic, glass or paper.

Careful: a magnet does not attract all metals. An aluminum can, a copper coin or a gold ring does not stick to a magnet.

A red and blue bar magnet lies on a table. Thick tufts of tiny dark iron filings stick to both of its ends.
Iron filings are tiny bits of iron: the magnet attracts them, most of all at its two poles.

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Review game

Final assessment

To master the lesson, you need at least 60% correct answers.

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Summary

  • Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole.
  • Different poles attract; the same poles repel. A magnet acts without touching, more strongly when it is closer.
  • Magnets can solve problems, like a door latch or a can sorter; a fair test compares two designs.
  • A magnet attracts iron and steel, but not all metals.

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