Since these minerals were originally found near Magnesia in Turkey, they were called magnets.They are also called lodestones.
Magnets are made from iron, nickel or cobalt.
A magnet can be thought of as being surrounded by a magnetic field. The field is defined as the region in which the magnetic effect can be detected. This field is strongest near the poles of the magnet. The poles of a magnet are called North and South poles.
If two magnets are placed near each other, they will either attract or repel each other. Unlike poles attract each other, and like poles repel each other.
Ferromagnetic metals are affected by this field. If iron filings are put in a magnetic field, they line up along the "lines of force".
Objects such as paper clips made from ferromagnetic materials will be attracted to a magnet. They will even become temporarily magnetised.
The earth has a magnetic field. Compass needles, which are themselves small magnets, line up with this field.
