Magnetism is an invisible force.

It pulls metal
objects which are magnetic towards a magnet.
There are lots of different types of magnets.
These include…..

bar magnets
and…

circular
magnets.
horseshoe
magnets,
All magnets have two poles – a South pole and a
North pole. You can see them marked on these
pictures.

South pole North pole

North pole South

South pole pole

North
pole
Poles that are different attract each other. This
means the invisible magnetic force will pull the
poles together like this.
Poles that are the same do not attract each
other. These will repel. This means they will
push each other apart and will not touch or
attract each other at all.

Attract and repel are opposites.

 Some metals are magnetic. Objects made of
these metals are attracted to a magnet. Just
because an object is made from metal does not
make it magnetic.

This nail is made

This can is made
from iron. Will
from aluminium.
this be attracted
Will it be The aluminium can
to the magnet if
attracted
The nailtoisthe is not attracted to
we put it
magnet
attractedif we put
to the the magnet.
underneath?
it underneath?
magnet because Aluminium is a
iron is a magnetic metal but it is not
metal. magnetic.
Let’s look at some other objects. Can you guess
which ones will be magnetic?

This knife is The pencil is

This ball is The screw is
made of steel, not made from
made of made from
which is a Yes! It’s
magnetic
rubber and is iron, just like
magnetic. magnetic.
material
not magnetic. the nail.

Now, let’s see what you can remember

A screw about magnetism.
A pencil AAknife
A paper clip ball
Are all magnets the same shape?

No. There are lots of

different types. Here
are some of them.

bar magnets
and…

circular
magnets.
horseshoe
magnets,
 What do all magnets have?

All magnets
have a North
pole and a
South pole.

South pole

North pole
What do different poles do ?

Different
poles attract.
What do poles that are the same do ?

Poles that are

the same
repel.
 Are all metals magnetic ?

No. Only some metals

are magnetic

Aluminium is not
Iron is magnetic.
magnetic.
PCS images -©Mayer-Johnson

Produced by Bev Evans, 2006.