Magnet Facts & Information

Magnet Fact Center – Fun and Interesting Facts About Magnets!

Magnet Pole Alignment Blog Photo

Welcome to our magnet fact center! Here you will find fun and interesting facts related to magnets and the world of magnetism.

Fact: The human eye is incapable of seeing magnetic fields. This is because magnetism is light. When magnets “attract” to each other, they are actually exchanging photons.

Fact: Magnets will only attract certain types of metals. This includes:

  • Iron
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt

However, magnets are unable to attract most metals including:

  • Aluminum
  • Platinum
  • Magnesium
  • Copper
  • Silver
  • Gold

Fact: Magnetism can either attract metals or push them away. This is because magnets have two different poles – a north pole and a south pole. If the same pole of one magnet is matched up to the same pole of another magnet, they will repel and push away from each other. If opposite poles are matched up, they will pull together and attract to each other.

Fact: Because the earth’s core is believed to be a mix of nickel and iron, it has its own magnetic field.

Fact: Compasses work by using the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate north, south, east and west.

Fact: In order to show magnetic fields,iron filings can be used.

Fact: In order for magnetic objects to work, they must be in the magnetic field to respond. This is why you sometimes have to move them closer in order for them to work.

Fact: Magnets are used for generating electricity. When a coil is wrapped around a magnet, an electric current is created. This is called an electromagnet. They are used in many different applications including generating electricity in hydroelectric dams. Fact: The strength of a magnet is referred to as a tesla unit. For a better understanding of this, see below.

Fact: The worlds two biggest magnets are stationed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and at Florida State University. The magnet located at Los Alamose National Labratory in New Mexico reaches 100 tesla while the magnet located at Florida State University reaches a still impressive 45 tesla. For the sake of comparison, junkyard magnets that are used for lifting cars are only able to reach 2 tesla. Check back regularly as we will update this page with new and interesting magnetic facts!