A magnet pulls on some iron and steel things. Pins and paper clips are two. Some stones are natural magnets.
Every magnet has a north pole. It has a south pole too.
Opposite poles pull on each other. The same poles push each other away.
A magnetic field is the area around a magnet. Its force can be felt.
Here is a rule to keep. Magnets are not for mouths or small children.
A child who swallows more than one has a problem. They can pull together in the body. That can cause serious damage.
Earth is a really big magnet. That makes a compass work.
A compass has a needle that is a magnet. It turns to line up with Earth.
People have used a compass for hundreds of years. It helps them find their way.
Earth has magnetic poles. They are not its geographic North and South Poles.
A large magnetic shield wraps Earth. It is a magnetosphere.
Words to know
- poles: magnet ends
- needle: compass pointer
- magnetosphere: magnetic shield
