Magnets

Magnets can be natural (lodestone/magnetite) or man-made(steel,iron, cobalt etc).

Magnets are normally metals but NOT ALL METAL ARE MAGNETIC.

so:
Metals can be:
1. Magnetic - iron, steel
2. Non-magnetic - aluminum, copper

Characteristics of magnets
1. two poles each end(N-pole and the S-pole)which also has the strongest magnetism.
2. always rest in the North-south direction.
3. Like poles (N-pole + N-pole) repels
4. Unlike poles (N-pole+S-pole) attracts
5. repels other magnets. (magnetic material can only be attracted to magnets, it CAN NEVER REPEL.)
6. magnetism can pass through NON MAGNETIC MATERIALS

A magnet can be damaged if:
1. hit repeatedly with a hammer
2. heat for a long period of time
3. dropped several times

A temporary magnet can be made using A MAGNETIC MATERIAL (steel, iron)either by:
1. STROKING METHOD - always stroke in the same direction
- magnetism can be increased by increasing the number of strokes
2. ELECTRICAL METHOD - magnetic material (normally a nail) becomes an ELECTROMAGNET when circuit is closed. (electricity flows through)
- strength of the electromagnet can be increased by increasing the number of coils around the magnetic material 0r
- adding more batteries

Magnets can be found in many household items or around you.