Magnetism and magnets are all around us. We live in the Earth’s magnetic field. We use magnets in appliances like microwaves and toasters, motors and generators, or to simply stick something on our refrigerator.
All magnetism comes from the alignment or flow of electrons, which are tiny little magnets inside every atom that makes up everything in the universe.
Some magnets are permanent and keep their magnetic field for a long time. Some are temporary magnets that only become magnetic when they’re near a magnetic field. And others are electromagnets, made by passing an electrical current through a coil of wire, including all of our magnets at the MagLab.
Learn more about magnets from mini to mighty.
Several types of metals, known as ferromagnetic metals, naturally attract magnets because of the way electrons are lined up in the material. These include iron, cobalt, nickel, and steel. Other metals, including gold, silver, and aluminum, do not attract magnets.
All magnets have two poles, north and south. Opposite poles attract each other. Like poles repel each other.
With two small permanent magnets, you can make a simple toy that shows the power of those like poles repelling each other:
What You’ll Need:
- Two small donut-shaped permanent magnets. (You can buy these online or at most big-box, hardware, or craft stores.)
- A straw
- Pipe cleaner
- Glue or tape
- Hopping animal pictures (you can print out ours or make your own!) Download our hopping animal pictures
What You’ll Do:
1. Thread two donut shaped magnets onto the straw, making sure like poles are facing so the magnets repel each other.
2. Tightly wrap pipe cleaner at each end of the straw
3. Hold the straw upright. Notice how the top magnet is floating above the other magnet because their magnetic fields are repelling one another.
4. Attach one of the animal pictures on the top magnet with glue or tape.
5. Gently move your hand up and down to watch the animal ‘jump’ as the magnets repel each other.
Did you Know?
- Earth's magnetic field deflects and protects us from some of the sun’s powerful radiation. The colorful aurora borealis, the northern and southern lights, show the sun’s energy bumping into the magnetic field of Earth.
- Magnetic fields are invisible to the human eye, but you can use iron filings to show them.
- Animals including birds, turtles, and salmon use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation.
- Magnetic ball bearings are used in certain machines so that rotors can spin without friction.
