{"id":2250,"date":"2026-10-13T20:54:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tiwaripedia.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/how-magnets-work\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T21:18:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T15:48:33","slug":"how-magnets-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiwaripedia.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/how-magnets-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Magnets Work: Magnetic Fields, Poles and Everyday Uses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated: October 2026 \u00b7 3 min read<\/em><\/p>\n

Magnets hold notes on your fridge, spin motors in your mixer and help doctors see inside the body. All of it comes from the way tiny particles called electrons behave inside materials.<\/p>\n

\"Infographic:
How Magnets Work: Magnetic Fields, Poles and Everyday Uses \u2013 infographic by Tiwaripedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Poles and the basic rule<\/h2>\n

Every magnet has a north<\/b> and a south<\/b> pole. Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.<\/b> Cut a magnet in half and you get two smaller magnets, each with its own north and south pole.<\/p>\n

Where magnetism comes from<\/h2>\n

Electrons spin and move around atoms, which makes each atom a tiny magnet. In most materials these tiny magnets point in random directions and cancel out. In iron, nickel and cobalt<\/b>, groups of atoms called domains<\/b> can line up together, creating a strong magnet.<\/p>\n

Magnetic field<\/h2>\n

The space around a magnet where its force acts is the magnetic field<\/b>. Iron filings sprinkled near a bar magnet show the field lines running from north to south.<\/p>\n

Types of magnets<\/h2>\n
Type<\/th>How it works<\/th>Example<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Permanent<\/td>Stays magnetic<\/td>Fridge magnets, speaker magnets<\/td><\/tr>
Temporary<\/td>Magnetic only near another magnet<\/td>A pin near a magnet<\/td><\/tr>
Electromagnet<\/td>Current through a coil around iron; switch on\/off<\/td>Scrapyard cranes, electric bells, motors<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n

Earth is a giant magnet<\/h2>\n

Molten iron moving in Earth’s outer core creates a magnetic field. A compass needle points roughly north because it lines up with this field. The field also shields us from harmful solar particles and creates the auroras near the poles.<\/p>\n

Everyday uses<\/h2>\n