Magnetism Magnets Magnetic Poles
The ends of a magnet are called magnetic 'poles'. This is the part of magnets that attract magnetic things the most. All magnets have what is called a magnetic north pole and what is called a magnetic south pole. If a piece of string is tied to the middle of the magnet and the string is held so that the magnet is allowed to hang down on its own, then the north pole of the magnet will turn and point to the Earth's North Magnetic Pole. This can be tested by tying a string to a magnet shaped like a straight stick, and then holding the string so that the magnet can turn up and down and around.