The law of magnets

The law of magnetism

"Like poles repel, unlike poles attract"

1. Like poles repel each other — North repels North, South repels South.
2. Unlike poles attract each other — North attracts South, South attracts North.

The force of magnetism acts at a distance. Magnetic force can act over a distance without physical contact, meaning magnets can attract or repel each other without touching.

The magnetic field. Magnets create an invisible magnetic field around them, which shows the direction of the magnetic force. The field flows from the North pole to the South pole outside the magnet.

A magnet has two poles. Every magnet has two poles: a North Pole and a South Pole. If you break a magnet, each piece will still have a North and South pole.

The Earth is a magnet. The Earth itself acts like a giant magnet with a magnetic field, which is why compasses point towards the magnetic North pole.

Four types of magnets illustration