大象传媒

Magnets and magnetic fields - EdexcelMagnetic poles

Magnetism and electromagnetism are due to the magnetic fields around magnets and around electric currents. The fields can be investigated by the forces they exert on magnets and magnetic materials.

Part of Combined ScienceMagnetism and the motor effect

Magnetic poles

A can exert a force on another nearby magnet. Magnets have two poles:

  • a
  • a

The force is strongest near the magnet鈥檚 poles.

A bar magnet, with the north and south poles marked red and blue.

The rules of magnetism

Two magnets will either attract or repel each other in the following way:

  • like poles (N鈥揘 or S鈥揝) repel
  • unlike poles (N鈥揝 or S鈥揘) attract

Magnetic forces are - this means that magnets affect each other without touching.