What is a magnet? Magnets for Kids | What is a magnet, and how does it work?

What do you know about magnets or magnetism? Magnets for Kids teaches you about magnets and how and why they work. People use magnets for more than just hanging up artwork and grocery lists on their refrigerators. In fact, the very center of the earth is made of two metals that cause a giant magnetic field! A magnetic field is the area surrounding a magnet. Let's see what else you learn!

Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole. A north and south pole will always pull toward each other, or attract to each other. If you try to take two magnets and face the north poles toward each other, they will repel. The same is true of the south poles.

There are a few types of magnets: temporary, permanent, and electromagnet. Temporary magnets become magnetized when a magnetic field is present. But they lose their magnetism when that magnetic field goes away. Permanent magnets, on the other hand, are made of materials like iron or nickel that are already magnetized and have their own magnetic field. In fact, the earth's core is made of iron and nickel, which is why it is magnetic.

Electromagnets are the last type. These magnets are created by running an electrical current through a coil with a metal core. The energized core creates a magnetic field. It stops working as soon as the electric current turns off. An MRI machine at a hospital is an example of an electromagnet. Other things with magnets in them include telephones, door bells, motors, and compasses.

We hope you and your student(s) enjoyed learning about magnetism and how magnets work! If you want to learn even more, head over to our website and download one of our many free lesson plans about magnets, full of activities, worksheets, and more!