Magnets are used in every area of life, even if you may not always realise it.

That is why it is useful to know as much about magnets as possible. Take a look at our 6 most important facts about magnets that you should know.

1. Magnets have two poles

Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole.

If you cut a magnet in half, each piece will still have two poles: magnetic north and magnetic south.

Magnetic monopoles do not exist.

The poles can be thought of as points from which magnetism emerges and to which it returns.

A magnet's pole is the area where the magnetic field is strongest, meaning where the magnetic force is greatest.

Like poles repel each other, while opposite poles attract. North facing north and south facing south repel, while north facing south attracts.

If you cut a bar magnet in half, you create two new pieces, each of which again has both a north and a south pole.

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Compact and powerful magnet suitable for technical applications and experiments.

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2. Magnets create force

All magnets create magnetic force.

Magnetic force is a consequence of the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and is caused by the movement of charges.

The strongest magnets in the universe are stars known as magnetars. They are remnants of supernovae and their magnetic fields are extremely powerful.

Strong rare-earth magnets can turn certain metals into magnets. Ferromagnetic materials such as iron can be magnetised by a strong permanent magnet.

3. Not all metals are magnetic

Magnetic materials are always made from metal, but not all metals are magnetic.

Iron is magnetic, so any metal containing iron will be attracted to a magnet. Steel contains iron, so a steel paper clip will also be attracted to a magnet.

Most other metals, such as aluminium, copper and gold, are not magnetic.

4. There are different types of magnets

There are three types of magnets: permanent magnets, temporary magnets and electromagnets.

Permanent magnets produce a magnetic field without the need for an external source. Examples include AlNiCo, ferrite, neodymium and samarium-cobalt magnets.

Temporary magnets behave like magnets when they are close to a source of magnetic field, but lose their magnetism when that source is removed.

Electromagnets require electricity to behave like magnets. They are used where very strong magnets are needed.

What are rare-earth magnets? Rare-earth magnets are magnets made using elements from the rare-earth group. The most common types are neodymium magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets.

5. The Earth is a giant magnet

The Earth is made up of layers with different chemical compositions and physical properties. Its core generates a magnetic field with both a north and a south pole.

The Earth's magnetic field protects the planet from the solar wind and charged particles from the Sun.

Permanent magnetisation cannot occur at very high temperatures, however, because the thermal motion of atoms disrupts the necessary magnetic ordering.

6. Compasses rely on the Earth

A compass works by detecting and responding to the Earth's natural magnetic field.

Although a compass helps with navigation, it does not always point exactly towards geographic north because the magnetic north pole is slightly offset from it.

The magnetic north pole also moves over time as the Earth's magnetic field changes.