Magnet Academy

Explore the world of electricity and magnetism.

We've got videos, hands-on activities, games and more, this site answers your questions about all things electric and magnetic.

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Featured See-Thru Science

Eddy Currents

This cool trick appears to defy gravity and time, but is instead another demonstration of the awesome powers of electromagnetism.

How Capacitors Work

Capacitors can store electrical energy and discharge it quickly, powering things like flash bulbs and starter motors.

Spanish language version available.

How DC Motors Work

DC motors make things like appliances and power tools work by converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. Find out how.

The Fun Starts Here

What is a magnet?

Something with a south pole and a north pole that produces a magnetic field.

The Earth is a magnet and so are the things stuck to your fridge. Electric motors and speakers are magnets too!

Read this rundown of magnet types, uses and strengths to make magnet facts stick.

See the invisible magnetic fields at work inside one of the MagLab’s powerful electromagnets.

Make your own electromagnet at home!

What is superconductor?

A material that conducts electricity with no loss.

MRI machines and maglev trains use superconductors. Super cool!/

Superconductivity super explained.

Meet the pioneering physicist who first observed the phenomenon of superconductivity.

Put the pieces of these stunning superconducting puzzles together.

What is an MRI?

A medical machine that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to help doctors see inside their patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging explained .

See the invisible forces inside an MRI that create pictures of the inside of our bodies.

What would fruits & veggies look like imaged by a powerful MRI magnet? Play this game to see.

What are mass spectrometers?

Powerful scientific instruments used to weigh molecules.

These machines give scientists a look at the composition and origin of a material by analyzing and quantifying its atoms and molecules.

Stories of spectrometry.

How does a mass spectrometer work? This interactive tutorial .

Shimmy into your space suit and see how mass specs are used to measure out of this world samples including Saturn’s moon.

Learn About the MagLab

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is home to the world's strongest magnet. Researchers from around the world use our instruments to do important dicoveries here.