magnet

Everyday

1. A magnet is a piece of iron or other material that pulls (attracts) iron and steel things towards it. tree →
2. A magnet is a person or place that attracts many people: «The park is a magnet for families». tree →

In the lessons

In science, a magnet has a north pole and a south pole: opposite poles attract, like poles repel (push apart). Magnets attract iron, steel, nickel and cobalt, but not wood, plastic, paper, copper or aluminium. The Earth is like a huge magnet, which is why a compass points north. In safety, never let small children swallow small magnets: two can pinch the gut and are very dangerous.

Examples

• The magnet picked up the paper clips. tree →
• Fridge magnets hold our drawings. tree →
• Opposite poles of a magnet attract. tree →
• Two north poles push each other away. tree →
• A magnet does not attract wood or plastic. tree →
• The compass needle is a tiny magnet. tree →
• Never swallow small magnets — they are dangerous. tree →
• The new playground is a magnet for kids. tree →

Note

Countable: a magnet, magnets. «Magnetic» describes things that act like or are pulled by magnets. A common myth: magnets attract all metals — they do not; aluminium cans and copper coins are not attracted. Magnetic force can work through paper and air.