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magnetism

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Editorial illustration of a magnet pulling paperclips while tiny magnetic domains inside metal line up

EVERYDAY PHYSICS

Why Do Magnets Attract Metal?

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Editorial illustration showing a compass needle aligning with Earth's magnetic field lines

NAVIGATION

How Does a Compass Know Which Way Is North?

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Close-up of two magnets attracting each other with metal filings showing the field lines between them

It is all about spinning electrons

How Do Magnets Work?

Magnets work because electrons in some materials spin in the same direction, creating a collective magnetic field. Here is how that actually produces the force you feel.

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