Kinds of Forces

Magnetism

Magnetism is the force that acts on objects made of iron, such as paper clips, nails, and safety pins, and makes them move.

Study the magnet in the image below. Note how it has two poles, north and south.

When the same poles of two magnets, whether north or south, are placed close to each other, they repel or push each other away. When the opposite poles are placed close to each other, they attract or pull each other together.

If a magnet is small and located far from an object made of iron, its magnetism will not be enough to move the object. However, if the magnet is big and located near the object, its magnetism will move the object easily.