Magnetism
Poles that pull and push, and steel that is pulled either way.
Two magnets attract when unlike poles face each other and repel when like ones do, and the force falls away very quickly with distance — much faster than gravity does. Steel is not a magnet but becomes one near a magnet, which is why a magnet attracts steel from either end.
| What | What happens |
|---|---|
| Unlike poles | pull together |
| Like poles | push apart |
| Steel near a magnet | is magnetised and pulled, whichever pole is near |
In the app a shape carries a magnet strength, positive for north and negative for south, and steel is drawn into a field by an induced dipole. Two magnets on a track that will not touch is the demonstration.
Open the magnets scene in the app to watch this one run.