Magnets and magnetic fields - EdexcelMagnetic poles
Magnetism and electromagnetism are due to the magnetic fields around magnets and around electric currents. The fields can be investigated by the forces they exert on magnets and magnetic materials.
A magnetAn object capable of exerting a magnetic force. can exert a force on another nearby magnet. Magnets have two poles:
a north poleIn a magnet, the end that is attracted to the Earth's magnetic north pole.
a south poleIn a magnet, the end that is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole.
The magneticAble to be magnetised or attracted to a magnet. force is strongest near the magnet’s poles.
The rules of magnetism
Two magnets will either attract or repel each other in the following way:
like poles (N–N or S–S) repel
unlike poles (N–S or S–N) attract
Magnetic forces are non-contact forceForce exerted between two objects, even when they are not touching, such as the force of gravity. - this means that magnets affect each other without touching.