Magnets and Magnetic Fields
A magnet attracts magnetic materials, and its magnetic field is the region where its force can be felt.
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A magnet attracts magnetic materials, and its magnetic field is the region where its force can be felt.
- Like poles repel, unlike poles attract
- Field lines go from north to south
- Iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
Within Physics, which covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, light and space explained through motion and experiments, this topic explains Magnets and Magnetic Fields. Physics topics explain how things move, push, heat up and carry energy, so each one here pairs a definition with a live model you can change.
Check that you can explain Magnets and Magnetic Fields in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Magnets and Magnetic Fields explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
Magnets and Magnetic Fields in detail
Magnets have two poles, north and south. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. A magnetic field is the region around a magnet where a magnetic material feels a force, shown by field lines running from north to south, closer together where the field is stronger.
Iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic materials, and a magnet induces magnetism in them. Earth has its own magnetic field, as if it contained a giant bar magnet, which is why compass needles point north. Plotting compasses and iron filings reveal the field pattern.
How the interactive helps you understand Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Watch the magnetic field in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the magnetic field responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Magnets and Magnetic Fields.
Real-life uses and examples
- Predict what a ball, car or circuit will do with Magnets and Magnetic Fields before you do the calculation.
- Explain everyday devices, such as brakes, lifts or chargers, using Magnets and Magnetic Fields.
- Use Magnets and Magnetic Fields to make sense of a practical and its results.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up Magnets and Magnetic Fields with a related quantity that has different units.
- Forgetting that some quantities, such as force or velocity, also have a direction.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Magnets and Magnetic Fields
What is Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
A magnet attracts magnetic materials, and its magnetic field is the region where its force can be felt.
What are the most important points about Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
The main points are: Like poles repel, unlike poles attract; Field lines go from north to south; Iron, nickel and cobalt are magnetic.
Why is Magnets and Magnetic Fields useful?
Understanding Magnets and Magnetic Fields explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
How can I practise Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Magnets and Magnetic Fields?
Related topics in Physics include Electromagnetic Induction, The National Grid, Radioactive Decay.