Magical Magnetism

People have been fascinated by magnets for thousands of years. Magnets can attract certain metals, mainly iron and steel. You probably have seen and used many different magnets yourself. Have you ever wondered what causes magnets to work the way they do? It isn't magic, it’s magnetism! Magnetism is a force that pulls certain objects toward a magnet. The first magnets were made long ago when people discovered a black rock called lodestone. This is a special rock that is naturally magnetic because it contains iron. It’s found all over the world.

Today magnets are an important part of many machines, tools, and measuring instruments. They are made in many different shapes and sizes.