What is Magnetism?

Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible magnetic field, which can attract certain types of metal. The atoms in metals are lined up in the same direction, which means that the metals can stick to magnets. Magnets have 2 poles: a North and South pole. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.