magnetised

Everyday

1. Magnetised means made into a magnet, so it can pull iron and steel. tree →
2. A magnetised object has its own north and south pole. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons pupils magnetise a steel needle by stroking it with a magnet many times in the same direction; a magnetised needle floating on water makes a simple compass. Heating or dropping a magnet can make it lose its magnetism (demagnetise).

Examples

• We magnetised a needle by stroking it with a magnet. tree →
• The magnetised needle pointed north. tree →
• The paper clip became magnetised and picked up another clip. tree →
• A magnetised screwdriver holds screws. tree →
• Iron nails can be magnetised, but copper cannot. tree →
• Hitting the magnet hard can stop it being magnetised. tree →

Note

British spelling is magnetised (also magnetized); American spelling is magnetized. Only some metals can be magnetised: iron, steel, nickel, cobalt. Aluminium, copper, gold and plastic cannot.