Magnetism Basics

Front

What are the two poles of a magnet?

Back

North pole and South pole.

Front

Magnetism is a force

Back

Magnetic force is the attraction or repulsion between magnetic poles

Front

naturally magnetic

Back

Iron, nickel, and cobalt

Front

Earth as a magnet

Back

Earth itself acts like a giant magnet.

Front

Magnetic field

Back

Every magnet has a region around it where its influence can be felt, known as a magnetic field.

Front

Magnetic field lines

Back

The magnetic field lines represent the direction and strength of the magnetic force.

Front

Earth's magnetic poles

Back

The Earth's surface where the magnetic force is the strongest. Ellesmere Island in Northern Canada is where the northern lines of attraction are located.

Front

Magnetic declination

Back

The angle between geographic north and the north to which a compass needle points

Front

Compass

Back

A compass is a device that has a magnet on a needle that spins freely. It is used for navigation because its needle usually points north.

Front

Compass alignment

Back

Compass needles align with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic north pole.