A magnet can pull (attract) some materials towards it. Materials that magnets attract are called magnetic. Iron, nickel, cobalt and most kinds of steel (which is mostly iron) are magnetic. Most other materials, including most metals such as aluminum, copper, gold and silver, are not magnetic.

Every magnet has two ends called poles: a north pole and a south pole. The magnetic force is strongest at the poles. When two magnets are brought together, unlike poles attract (north and south pull together) and like poles repel (north and north, or south and south, push apart).

Magnetism is a non-contact force: a magnet can push or pull without touching. Its force can act through some materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastic and water. The force gets weaker as the magnet gets further away.

The Earth behaves like a giant magnet. A compass needle is a tiny magnet that is free to turn, so it lines up north–south. People have used compasses to find their way for hundreds of years.