Magnets & Static Electricity

A magnetic field is an invisible area around a magnet where magnetic forces can be felt.

Electromagnets are magnets created by electricity flowing through a wire, often wrapped around a metal core.

Some metals like iron, nickel, and cobalt can stick to a magnet.

To build an electromagnet, you need a wire, a nail (or metal core), and a battery.

Static electricity is the build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects.

You can create static electricity by rubbing certain materials together, like a balloon on your hair.

If the magnets are opposite poles, they attract; if they are the same poles, they repel.

A speaker uses electromagnets to convert electrical energy into sound.

A common use of static electricity is in photocopiers, where it helps attract ink to paper.

A permanent magnet always has a magnetic field, while an electromagnet's field can be turned on and off.