Force at a distance
Unlike pushing or pulling, magnetic force doesn't need contact. A strong magnet can pull metal across a table.
Strength varies
Magnets are stronger close up. Doubling the distance makes the force much weaker.
Uses of magnets
Magnets are in fridges, headphones, motors, MRI scanners and even credit cards!
🔑 Key Terms
- Magnetic force
- The push or pull a magnet exerts on magnetic materials.
Did you know?
MRI scanners use magnets so strong they could pull a chair across the room — patients must remove all metal first!
Try it at home: Magnet strength tester
- Put a paperclip on a table.
- Slowly move a magnet toward it from 20 cm away.
- Mark how far away the magnet starts pulling the clip.
- Try with two magnets stuck together — is the distance bigger?