Magnetic Materials

Magnetism describes the ability of magnets to attract (pull towards) and repel (push away) other magnets without touching them.

• Magnets have a north pole and south pole
• If a north pole and south pole of two magnets are close enough to each other, they will attract each other
• This is an example of a non-contact force

• If one magnet is turned so that both south poles (or both north poles) are close together, then the magnets will repel each other
• Opposite poles on a magnet attract and like poles on a magnet repel. 
• This is an example of a non-contact force

A magnets poles are where the magnetic forces are the strongest

Iron, nickel and cobalt are the only pure metals that can be turned into a magnet. These metals are known as "magnetic materials"

• Magnetic materials, like iron, don't always act as magnets.
• For example, a normal piece of iron won't attract or repel another piece of iron
• But magnetic materials, like iron, are attracted to a magnet if they are close enough to the magnet

• Magnetic materials can be attracted by a magnet, but can't be repelled by a magnet
• Only two magnets can repel each other
• Non-magnetic materials will never be attracted to magnets.
• Permanent magnets are always magnetic, even when they are not near other magnets
• Permanent magnets produce their own magnetic field

A magnetic material will temporarily become a magnet when it is close to a permanent magnet. There is always an attractive force between an induced magnet and a permanent magnet.

• Induced magnets are magnetic materials that become magnets when they are in a magnetic field
• When moved away from the permanent magnet, the magnetic material will stop being a magnet
• This is called induced magnetism

• The permanent magnet induces temporary poles in the magnetic material and these align so that the magnetic material is attracted to the permanent magnet
• If the north pole of the magnet is next to the magnetic material, then a south pole will be induced in the part of the material closest to the magnet.