A magnet is an object that pulls on some metals, like iron, without touching them. Every magnet has two ends called poles, north and south. Opposite poles pull together, and the same poles push apart. The push or pull works through the invisible magnetic field around the magnet.
Peabody: Hi, I am Peabody! A magnet can pull a metal key toward itself without touching it. How does it do that? Let us find out.
Crumb: I am Crumb! A magnet sticks to things with iron in them, like a nail. It does not stick to paper, wood or plastic. Not everything is magnetic.
Peabody: Every magnet has two ends called poles. One is a north pole and one is a south pole. The pull is strongest at the poles.
Crumb: Put a north pole near a south pole and they pull together. That is attract. Put two north poles together and they push apart. That is repel.
Peabody: Around every magnet is an invisible area where it works, called a magnetic field. Anything made of iron inside the field feels the pull.
Crumb: Here is a big surprise. Earth is a giant magnet too! A compass needle is a tiny magnet. It lines up with Earth and points north, so explorers never get lost.
Crumb: Here is a recap! A magnet pulls on iron. It has a north pole and a south pole. Opposites attract and the same poles repel. Earth is a magnet too. Go on a magnet hunt!
Quiz: five questions
Tap an answer. Stuck? Tap the hint. Nothing is scored or saved.
Question 1 of 5
Which of these does a magnet pick up?
The words
magnet
an object that pulls on some metals
pole
one of the two ends of a magnet, north or south
attract
to pull together
repel
to push apart
magnetic field
the invisible area around a magnet where it works
Make it: put the explainer in order
Tap the scenes in the order they happen. Which comes first?
Try it without a screen: Magnet hunt
You need: a fridge magnet, a tray, things around the house.
Guess for each thing: will the magnet stick? Make a yes pile and a no pile.
Test each one with the magnet.
Which guesses were right? Look at what the yes pile has in common.
Try two magnets together. Can you find push and pull?
For the grown-up
This explainer covers attraction to iron-containing materials, poles, attract and repel, the magnetic field, and Earth's field. Common slip: thinking all metals are magnetic. Aluminum foil and copper coins are not. Keep small magnets away from babies and pets, since swallowed magnets are dangerous, and keep them away from screens and cards. Nothing here is saved or shown to anyone.