What Are Magnetic Poles

Magnets attract magnetic materials. There is a magnetic force which pulls on a piece of steel when a magnet attracts it. You may have noticed that the force is strongest if you use the end of the magnet. A bar magnet’s magnetism is strongest at the ends. The ends of the magnet are called its magnetic poles.

The poles are called the North Pole (N) and the South Pole (S).

If you hang up a bar magnet so that it is free to turn around, it will turn until one end points towards the north-this end is the north pole of the magnet. The South Pole points towards the south.

Two Magnets

The diagram shows what happens when the poles of two magnets are close together. They may attract each other or they may repel each other. The arrows show the direction of the force on each magnet.

Magnet Rules

Here are the rules which tell us whether two magnetic poles will attract or repel:

• Like poles repel
• Unlike poles will attract

In these rules, ‘like poles’ means both poles are the same (both north poles and both south poles). ‘Unlike poles’ means one north pole and one south pole. Sometimes people simply remember the phrase ‘opposites attract’.

Making a Magnet

You can use a permanent magnet to magnetise a piece of iron or steel. Here is how:

Lay the piece of iron or steel on the bench.

Using one pole of the magnet, stroke it gently from one end to the other.

Stroke it several times, using the same pole. Make sure you always stroke it in the same direction.