Introduction

Magnetism is an interesting invisible force – it influences the environment around it.

A magnet is a material that can pull certain types of metal towards itself. Unlike many other
forces, magnetism doesn’t have to touch the objects it affects. Gravity is also an invisible force
that acts at a distance.

All matter is made of atoms. In most materials, electrons in the atoms spin around in
different directions. In magnets, the electrons all spin in the same direction. The direction of the
spin of the electrons determines the direction of the magnetic field. The movement of the
electrons causes the object to have two poles, called north and south. The north pole of a
magnet is generally considered to be negative, and the south pole of a magnet is considered to
be positive. If a bar magnet is broken into two pieces in an attempt to separate the poles, the
result will be two smaller bar magnets, each of which has both a north and south pole.

Magnetic forces flow from the north pole to the south pole, creating a magnetic field. A
magnetic field is the area within which a magnetic force act. Substances that are magnetic are
attracted to the magnetic field. Iron is the most magnetic material and is most commonly
attracted to a magnet. Steel is an alloy of iron, so steel can be used as well. Magnets also
influence each other. Two opposite poles will attract each other, and two poles that are the
same will push apart.

Results of the objective

On one bar magnet, the magnetic field lines surround the bar magnet from north pole to
south pole. No two lines intersect with each other. On the two magnets in parallel position and
two magnets on a straight line the same poles repel. When two magnets with the same poles
face each other each magnet’s force field moves away from the other. The iron filings move
away from the middle between the two magnets when we gently tap the paper.