2. Magnets received their name from “Magnesia” which is a part of present day Greece. Ancient people discovered that certain stones such as magnetite always pointed in the same direction and used them in navigation.

4.  Magnetite is an iron oxide, meaning that it is made of iron (Fe) combined with oxygen (O) atoms.  Its formula is Fe 2 O 4 or Fe 3 O 4

5. What is Magnetism? Magnetism is the force exerted by magnets when they attract or repel each other.

6. What causes Magnetism? Magnetism is caused by the motion of electrons in atoms. Electrons spin around the nucleus, or core, of an atom. If the spins of the electrons are aligned in the same direction, their movement generates an electric current and causes magnetic forces to occur.

7. When an un-magnetized substance is placed in a magnetic field, the substance can become magnetized. This happens when the spinning electrons line up in the same direction.

8. Magnetic Fields A magnetic field is a region where a magnetic force can be detected. Magnets attract and repel each other due to the interaction of their magnetic fields

9. Magnetic forces can be represented as magnetic field lines. These help you to visualize the strength and direction of the magnetic field. The direction of magnetic field lines is the direction in which the north end of a compass needle points

10. Poles Poles are the ends of a magnet are where the magnetic effect is strongest. Each magnet has 2 poles – 1 north, 1 south.

11.  Magnetic Field lines form closed loops, unlike electrical field lines.  Notice that the field lines come out of the north pole, and curve into the south pole.

12. If you cut a magnet in half, you get 2 magnets!

13. Just like with static electricity Like repels like… Opposites attract!

14. The Earth is a magnet: Magnetic South Pole Magnetic North Pole It exerts magnetic forces and is surrounded by a magnetic field that is strongest near the North and South magnetic poles Geographic South Pole Interestingly, what we call the “North” pole acts like a “south” pole, in terms of the magnetic field lines.

15.  Moving electric fields create magnetic charges  When a wire carries a strong steady charge, its field lines will affect a compass needle.

16.  This helps you to find the direction of the magnetic field caused by an electrical current.