What is a Magnet?
A magnet is a special object that can pull some things towards it. It cannot pull everything. A magnet can pull things made of iron and steel. Magnets come in many shapes, like a bar, a horseshoe and a round button.
Key idea
A magnet attracts (pulls) iron and steel. It does not pull plastic, wood, paper or rubber.
Poles of a Magnet
Every magnet has two ends called poles. They are the north pole and the south pole. When two magnets are near each other:
- Different poles pull together. This is called attract.
- Same poles push away. This is called repel.
Example
A magnet can pick up iron pins and paper clips, but it cannot pick up a plastic straw.
Remember
- Magnets pull iron and steel.
- Different poles attract.
- Same poles repel.