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• Magnet – Natural magnets are magnetite. First these were discovered on the island of Magnesia in Greece.
• Poles of magnet – Each magnet has two poles a north pole and a south pole
• Magnetic materials – Materials that are attracted by magnet are magnetic materials. E.g iron, steel, nickel and cobalt
• Non magnetic materials – Materials that do not attract by magnet are non magnetic materials. E.g plastic, rubber, wood, glass, paper etc.
• Magnetic poles – end region near the poles of the magnet
• North Pole – Pole points to north direction is north seeking pole
• South Pole – Pole points to south direction is south seeking pole
• If a magnet is cut into two halves then each magnet will have its own north and south pole
• No magnet will have a single pole or one pole
• Like poles of the magnet repel each other
• Unlike poles of the magnet attract each other
• Magnet to find directions – Magnets are used in magnetic compass to find the directions. Poles are marked with different color to identify the direction. Needle in the compass comes rest in north south direction when placed horizontally. rotate the compass so that the north pole of needle aligns with north direction of the dial. Thus choose your direction where you need to go.
• Learn how to make a magnet here
• Precautions while handling the magnet – Magnets can loose its properties if
  • Dropped from height
  • A magnet is heated
  • A magnet is hammered
• How to store a magnet ?
  • Keep them in pairs such that they are separated by wood and their opposite poles are on same side
  • Two iron pieces must be attached across the two ends.
  • Magnet of shape like this is called horseshoe magnet. To store this magnet we should attach an iron piece connecting both the ends.
  • Keep magnets away from the magnetic gadgets such as mobile, television, music system, cassette, etc.