4.1.1

Magnets

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Magnets

Magnetism describes the ability of magnets to attract (pull towards) and repel (push away) other magnets without touching them. Every magnet creates a magnetic field around itself.

Illustrative background for Magnets have polesIllustrative background for Magnets have poles ?? "content

Magnets have poles

  • Magnets have a north pole (N) and south pole (S).
Illustrative background for Opposite poles attractIllustrative background for Opposite poles attract ?? "content

Opposite poles attract

  • Opposite poles on a magnet attract.
  • The south pole of one magnet will attract the north pole of the other magnet.
Illustrative background for Like poles repelIllustrative background for Like poles repel ?? "content

Like poles repel

  • Like poles on a magnet repel.
  • The south pole of one magnet will repel the south pole of the other magnet.
  • The north pole of one magnet will repel the north pole of another magnet.
Illustrative background for Magnetic forcesIllustrative background for Magnetic forces ?? "content

Magnetic forces

  • Every magnet creates a magnetic field around itself.
  • The magnetic forces between magnets are caused by these invisible magnetic fields overlapping.

Magnets

The key phrase to remember when thinking about magnet behaviour is: 'like poles repel, unlike poles attract'.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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