Magnet forces

The idea

The force exerted by a magnet on another magnet or a magnetic material is magnetic force; it acts from a distance, so it is a non-contact force, and like poles repel while unlike poles attract.

Two magnets

Two bar magnets are brought close to each other, end to end.

What may happen?

• They may push apart or pull together
• Nothing ever happens
• They always stick

Turn the magnets

Turn each magnet. Watch what the two facing poles do.

Push or pull

Same poles pushed each other apart. Different poles pulled each other together. Attraction and repulsion are a push and a pull, so they are forces. A magnet can also pull a magnetic material.

The force exerted by a magnet on another magnet or a magnetic material is magnetic force. It acts from a distance, so it is a non-contact force. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

• Poles facing each other | Force
• N and N | Repel
• S and S | Repel
• N and S | Attract

Notes

Magnetic force is the force of a magnet on another magnet or a magnetic material. It is a non-contact force. Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.

Check yourself

The force exerted by a magnet on another magnet is called …

The North pole of one magnet faces the North pole of another. The magnets …

The North pole of one magnet faces the South pole of another. The magnets …

Magnetic force is a …

• muscular force. Muscular force comes from muscles.
• friction. Friction acts between surfaces in contact. A magnet acts from a distance.
• magnetic force — correct. Yes!
• repel — correct. Yes!
• attract. Like poles repel each other.
• do nothing. Like poles repel each other.
• repel. Unlike poles attract each other.
• attract — correct. Yes!
• do nothing. Unlike poles attract each other.
• contact force. A magnet can act from a distance without touching.
• force that needs a rope. Magnetic force acts without any rope or touching.
• non-contact force — correct. Yes!