How do magnets pull?

A magnet is wrapped in something you cannot see. Scientists call it a magnetic field. It is the magnet’s invisible reach.

Every magnet has two ends, called poles: a north pole and a south pole. Two different ends pull toward each other. Two matching ends push apart. Try it with two fridge magnets and you can feel it in your hands!

A magnet also pulls on some metals, like iron and steel. That is how a magnet picks up a paper clip. The closer the clip gets, the stronger the pull feels.

Our whole planet is a giant magnet too. A compass needle is a tiny magnet, and it turns to line up with Earth’s field. That is how a compass finds north.

Keep magnets away from tablets, phones and cards, because strong ones can confuse them.