Magnets and Magnetism

Grade 2 · Science · Study Guide

Learn how magnets work and what kinds of things they can attract.

A magnet is an object that can pull certain metal objects toward it. This pulling force is called magnetism. You cannot see magnetism, but you can feel it when you hold a magnet near something made of iron or steel.

Magnets have two ends called poles. One end is the north pole and the other end is the south pole. When you put two magnets together, opposite poles attract, which means they pull toward each other. When two same poles face each other, they repel, which means they push away from each other.

Magnets can attract objects made of iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt. These are called magnetic materials. Objects made of plastic, wood, rubber, glass, and most other metals are not magnetic. A magnet will not stick to these materials.

Magnets come in many shapes. Bar magnets look like a rectangle. Horseshoe magnets are shaped like the letter U. Disc magnets are flat and round. No matter what shape a magnet is, it always has a north pole and a south pole.

The strongest parts of a magnet are at its poles. If you put a magnet in a pile of iron filings, the most filings will stick to the poles.

We use magnets in many everyday things like refrigerator door seals, compasses, speakers, and some toys.

Key terms

magnet
An object that can attract certain metal materials like iron and steel
magnetism
The invisible force that magnets use to attract or repel certain materials
poles
The two ends of a magnet, called the north pole and south pole, where the force is strongest
attract
To pull toward; opposite poles of magnets attract each other
repel
To push away; same poles of magnets repel each other
magnetic
Describing a material that is attracted to a magnet, such as iron or steel

Flashcards

magnet
An object that attracts iron and steel
magnetism
The invisible force from a magnet
north pole
One of the two ends of a magnet
south pole
The other end of a magnet opposite the north pole
attract
To pull toward each other
repel
To push away from each other
magnetic material
A material like iron or steel that a magnet can attract
poles
The two ends of a magnet where the force is strongest

Questions

  1. What are the two ends of a magnet called?

    1. Top and bottom
    2. North pole and south pole
    3. East side and west side
    4. Positive and negative ends
    Show answer

    Answer: North pole and south pole

    Every magnet has two ends called the north pole and the south pole. These are where the magnetic force is strongest.

  2. A magnet can attract objects made of plastic.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    Plastic is not a magnetic material. Magnets only attract iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt.

  3. When two same poles of magnets face each other, they ________ each other.

    Show answer

    Answer: repel

    When two same poles (like north and north) face each other, they push apart, or repel each other.

  4. Which material is magnetic?

    1. Wood
    2. Rubber
    3. Iron
    4. Glass
    Show answer

    Answer: Iron

    Iron is a magnetic material. Wood, rubber, and glass are not attracted to magnets.

  5. The strongest pull of a magnet is at its poles.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    The poles are the strongest parts of a magnet. More magnetic material sticks to the poles than to the middle.

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