magnetic

Everyday

1. Magnetic means able to pull iron or steel towards itself, like a magnet. tree →
2. Magnetic also describes things a magnet can pull, like iron nails. tree →
3. Magnetic can describe something to do with magnets or the Earth's magnetism, like the magnetic North Pole. tree →
4. A magnetic person is someone people are strongly drawn to. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons children sort objects into magnetic and non-magnetic: iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic; wood, plastic, glass, paper, and most coins and aluminium cans are not. A compass works because its needle is magnetic and lines up with the Earth's magnetic field. Phrases: «magnetic field», «magnetic poles», «magnetic north», «magnetic strip» (on a bank card), «magnetic letters» (fridge letters).

Examples

• Iron nails are magnetic, but plastic spoons are not. tree →
• We tested which objects were magnetic. tree →
• A compass needle is magnetic and points north. tree →
• The fridge magnets are magnetic letters. tree →
• The Earth has a magnetic field around it. tree →
• Don't put a magnet near a bank card with a magnetic strip. tree →
• Not all metals are magnetic; aluminium foil isn't. tree →
• The singer had a magnetic smile. tree →
• For instance, why a piece of iron which is rubbed on a cylinder, should become magnetic. tree →

Note

A common myth: «all metals are magnetic». Only a few are: iron, nickel, cobalt and things made with them, like steel. Gold, silver, copper and aluminium are not. Noun: «magnet», «magnetism»; verb: «magnetise / magnetize». «Magnetic» is an adjective, so you say «a magnetic object», not «a magnet object».