Magnets are interesting ever since we are kids – why? It’s quite simple – their […] The post Why Magnets Attract and Repel Each Other appeared first on Argus International.

Magnets are interesting ever since we are kids – why? It’s quite simple – their ability to attract and repel each other is pretty fun and cool to play with. But why is it that magnets are drawn together or forced apart?

Basic magnet anatomy

In their most basic sense, magnets are objects that have magnetic fields, and this field is what allows that to attract to each other and other metals, like iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt.

Opposites attract

You know the old relationship cliché that opposites attract; well this principle applies to magnets. Magnets have a North and South pole, and when you place one magnet’s North pole near another’s South pole, they’re attracted to each other and stick. Similarly, when you put a magnet’s North pole to another North pole, they’re pushed apart. Since the Earth contains magnetic materials, the poles are named because a magnet’s North pole points near the Earth’s north pole and vice versa.

Electromagnetism

Like gravity, electromagnetism is a basic force of the universe, and it’s the force that exists between charged particles. There are two types of charges, positive and negative; positives charges seek negative, and negative seek positive. When the two find each other, they stick together.

Magnetism occurs from relative movement of charged particles, like electrons and protons; electromagnetic forces come about when particles swap protons back and forth.

While physicists understand and can explain magnetism, it’s difficult to explain in simple terms since magnetism is best described through equations.

To recap

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The post Why Magnets Attract and Repel Each Other appeared first on Argus International.