magnetism

Action exerted by magnets and magnetic fields and phenomena. Magnetism can be characterized by the forces of attraction and repulsion between two masses.

attraction

Force by which two bodies are pulled toward each other; opposite poles attract each other.

magnetic field

Area around the magnet where magnetic forces represented by lines of force are exerted, resulting in electron movement.

neutral line

Line separating the north and south lines of the magnet and exhibiting no magnetic phenomena.

south pole

End of the magnet to which the field lines are directed and around which the exterior magnetic action is intense.

field line

Imaginary line representing the direction of the magnetic forces between the north and south poles.

magnet

Body producing an exterior magnetic field; it attracts iron, nickel and cobalt as well as their alloys.

north pole

End of the magnet from which field lines originate and around which the exterior magnetic action is intense.

repulsion

Force by which two bodies push against each other. Two poles of the same orientation (both positive or both negative) repulse each other.