Magnetism is an invisible force that pulls magnetic metals and objects toward magnets. Magnets come in different shapes like bar, horseshoe, and circular, and all have a North and South pole. Poles of opposite polarity attract each other, while like poles repel. Not all metals are magnetic; iron is magnetic while aluminum is not.

2. 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…..
horseshoe
magnets,
bar magnets
and…
circular
magnets.

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

4. Poles that are different attract each other. This
means the invisible magnetic force will pull the
poles together like this.

5. 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.

6. 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 can is made
from aluminium.
Will it be
attracted to the
magnet if we put
it underneath?
The aluminium can
is not attracted to
the magnet.
Aluminium is a
metal but it is not
magnetic.
This nail is made
from iron. Will
this be attracted
to the magnet if
we put it
underneath?
The nail is
attracted to the
magnet because
iron is a magnetic
metal.

7. Let’s look at some other objects. Can you guess
which ones will be magnetic?
A paper clip
Yes! It’s
magnetic
A knife
This knife is
made of steel,
which is
magnetic.
A pencil
The pencil is
not made from
a magnetic
material .
A ball
This ball is
made of
rubber and is
not magnetic.
A screw
The screw is
made from
iron, just like
the nail.
Now, let’s see what you can remember
about magnetism.

8. Are all magnets the same shape?
No. There are lots of
different types. Here
are some of them.
horseshoe
magnets,
bar magnets
and…
circular
magnets.

9. What do all magnets have?
All magnets
have a North
pole and a
South pole.
South pole
North pole

10. What do different poles do ?
Different
poles attract.

11. What do poles that are the same do ?
Poles that are
the same
repel.

12. Are all metals magnetic ?
No. Only some metals
are magnetic
Aluminium is not
magnetic.
Iron is magnetic.

13. Produced by Bev Evans, 2006.
PCS images -©Mayer-Johnson