Attract and Repel

• Magnets exert a force — pull (attract) or push (repel).
• Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.
• Not all metals are magnetic — mainly iron and steel.
• Activities from Looking Around 3 with bar magnets and paper clips.

Level 1 — Core idea

Verbal: Bring two north poles together — they push apart (repel).

Symbolic: N–N or S–S → repel; N–S → attract.

Visual: Picture two bar magnets: arrows pushing apart for like poles, pulling for unlike.

Level 2 — Going deeper

Magnetic force works without touching — paper clip jumps toward magnet. Force weakens with distance.

NCERT anchor

NCERT Looking Around 3, Chapter 14 (The Story of Food) and general science kit activities use magnets to pick iron pins. Test attract vs repel before labelling poles.

Two bar magnets push apart when certain ends meet. Why?

Step 1 — Pushing apart = **repel**
Step 2 — Repel means **like poles** (N–N or S–S)
Step 3 — Swap one magnet → attract → unlike poles ✓

Will a magnet attract a copper coin?

Step 1 — Magnet attracts **iron/steel**
Step 2 — Copper is not magnetic at this level
Answer: **No** — coin does not stick

• Like poles — attract or repel?
• Name one thing a magnet picks up.
• What happens to N and S poles?
• Stretch: Why do magnets stick to fridge doors? (steel body)

Revision tip: Rhyme: Like repel, unlike attract — say it before every magnet question.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Attract and Repel.