A magnet is an object that can push or pick up materials made of iron, steel, or nickel. A magnet is made of these same materials.Objects that are attracted by magnets have similar properties. Every magnet has two places where its strength is concentrated.A magnet that is free to turn will come to rest with its poles aligned in a north-south direction. Unlike poles of a magnet attract each other. Like poles of a magnet repel each other. A magnet can be made from a steel object by striking it with a magnet.Once magnetized, a piece of steel can remain magnetized indefinitely.A magnetic compass consists mainly of a freely turning magnet. All magnets, and thus all compasses, have a north-south seeking pole. A magnetic compass works because the earth itself is a magnet: the compass magnet interacts with the earth-magnet.
