Magnetism & Magnetic Fields

Attract, repel, and explore invisible magnetic forces

Magnetism is a force produced by moving electric charges. All magnets have two poles: North (N) and South (S). Opposite poles attract each other; like poles repel each other. You cannot separate the poles — if you cut a magnet in half, each half becomes a new magnet with its own N and S pole. Magnetic fields are invisible regions of force that surround magnets, shown by field lines that go from N to S. Only certain materials (iron, nickel, cobalt, and their alloys) are attracted to magnets — these are called ferromagnetic materials. Earth itself behaves like a giant bar magnet, which is why compasses point north. The geographic North Pole is actually near Earth's magnetic South Pole (compass needles are attracted to it).