5.1.4

Attracting & Repelling Magnets

Test yourself

Attracting & Repelling Magnets

If you put two bar magnets together end to end, you will feel a force.

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Attracting force

  • The force may pull the magnets together.
    • We say the magnets attract each other.
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Repelling force

  • The force may push the magnets away from each other.
    • We say the magnets repel each other.
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Two sides to a magnet

  • Magnets have two different sides.
  • The different sides are called poles.
  • One pole is 'north' (N) and one pole is 'south' (S).
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Magnets can repel

  • If you put the same poles of two magnets together, they will repel.
    • Two north (N) poles will repel each other.
    • Two south (S) poles will repel each other.
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Magnets can attract

  • If you put the opposite poles together, they will attract.
    • A north (N) and a south (S) will attract.
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Magnets

  • Some magnets are coloured to show which pole is which.
  • Magnetism works even when something is in the way.
    • Try using magnets on both sides of a piece of cardboard. You will be able to move the magnet through the cardboard.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3: Plants

2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)

3Year 3: Rocks

3.1Rocks on Earth

4Year 3: Light

5Year 3: Forces & Magnets

6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats

7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans

8Year 4: States of Matter

9Year 4: Sound

10Year 4: Electricity

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