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Explore Magnets & Poles

Step into the invisible world of magnetic forces! Move magnets freely around the interactive workbench to feel how pull strength changes with distance, watch iron filings trace magnetic field lines, and test which real-world objects snap to your magnet.

Distance: 17.0 cmFar (0%)
👆 Drag the magnet with your finger or mouse to explore magnetic forces!
NS🔩Iron Nail📎Steel Paperclip⚪Steel Ball🪙Nickel Coin🥄Steel Spoon🧲Mini Magnet✏️Wooden Pencil🧴Plastic Bottle🦆Rubber Duck🔮Glass Marble🥤Aluminum Can💍Gold RingNS

How to explore Magnets & Magnetic Fields

Magnetic poles, inverse-distance force, ferromagnetic metals, and hands-on science tips.

1The mystery of magnetic poles

Every magnet on Earth has two poles: a North pole (N) and a South pole (S). Even if you cut a magnet in half, each piece creates its own North and South poles.

2The fundamental law of magnetism

Opposite poles attract (North pulls South), while like poles repel (North pushes North away, and South pushes South away).

3Distance and magnetic pull strength

Magnetic force gets dramatically stronger as you get closer. When a magnet touches ferromagnetic iron, it snaps tightly and temporarily magnetizes it.

4What makes something magnetic?

Only certain metals called ferromagnetic metals (Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt) stick to magnets because their atomic domains line up with magnetic fields.

5Why aluminum, gold, and wood do not stick

Not all metals are magnetic: aluminum soda cans, gold rings, and copper wires do not have ferromagnetic atomic alignment, and neither do plastic, wood, or glass.

6Earth as a giant magnet

Earth itself is a giant magnet with a molten iron core, which is why compass needles always point towards the magnetic North Pole.

More in this lesson

Next labs in this group. Everything runs in your browser.

  • Learning toolsExplore Food ChainsInteractive food chain explorer across forest, ocean, and savanna biomes. Learn producers, consumers, apex predators, and energy flow
  • Learning toolsExplore Plant Life & PhotosynthesisInteractive plant science lab. Discover roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, and the photosynthesis solar kitchen with interactive puzzles
  • Learning toolsExplore Color MixingInteractive color mixing lab. Explore paint pigment mixing and additive RGB light beams with recipes and puzzles
  • Learning toolsExplore the Human BodyInteractive human body anatomy. Explore vital organs, skeletal systems, and the 5 senses with games and facts
  • Learning toolsExplore Dinosaurs & Prehistoric LifeInteractive dinosaur encyclopedia and science lab. Explore T-Rex, Triceratops, Mesozoic eras, diets, and fossil quizzes
  • Learning toolsLearn ScienceInteractive science flashcards and labs for anyone practicing science.

How to use this tool

  1. Choose Explore for the interactive magnetic physics sandbox or Practice for quiz games.
  2. In the Sandbox, drag your magnet across the table to pull and snap iron nails, steel paperclips, and coins.
  3. Watch non-magnetic items like wood, plastic, rubber, and aluminum remain unaffected.
  4. Toggle Iron Filings to see magnetic field loop lines rotate in real time around the North and South poles.
  5. Bring your magnet near the second floating magnet to observe like poles repelling and opposite poles snapping.
  6. In Practice, answer Attract or Repel questions and sort magnetic objects.
  7. Play Pole Detective to deduce unknown poles using repulsion and attraction clues.

Frequently asked questions

What is Explore Magnets & Poles?▾

It is a free interactive science sandbox for beginners to experiment with magnetic attraction, repulsion, field lines, and materials.

How does the interactive magnet sandbox work?▾

You can drag the magnet freely with your finger or mouse to watch magnetic items accelerate, snap onto the pole, and get carried around.

What happens when two North poles meet?▾

Two North poles (or two South poles) repel and push away from each other because their magnetic fields resist overlapping.

Why do North and South poles attract?▾

Opposite poles have complementary magnetic field lines that loop smoothly from North to South, drawing the magnets together.

Are all metals attracted to magnets?▾

No, only ferromagnetic metals like Iron, Steel, and Nickel stick to magnets. Aluminum, copper, and gold are not attracted.

What do the iron filings represent?▾

Iron filings align with the invisible magnetic flux lines radiating out of the North pole and looping into the South pole.

Where is practice progress saved?▾

Your quiz attempts and accuracy are saved locally in your browser with no login or account required.

What is simplified for elementary learners?▾

Complex electromagnetic Maxwell equations and quantum spin physics are simplified for intuitive tactile exploration.

Processed locally in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to our servers.