A bar magnet has a north pole, N, and a south pole, S. Opposite poles pull toward each other. Matching poles push apart. Turn one magnet to change which poles face each other. Changing separation affects magnetic interactions, but a real force depends on magnet strength, size, orientation and geometry. This model illustrates attraction and repulsion without reporting a calibrated force or assuming one universal distance law. Motion is a bounded explanatory approach or separation, not a prediction for a particular pair of magnets.
Forces, motion and energy · Discover & try
When do two magnets push apart?
Reading level 4 of 5 · FluentChange
Word help
Pole
A north or south region used to describe a magnet’s orientation.
Repulsion
An interaction tending to push objects apart.
Attraction
An interaction tending to pull objects together.
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See how it works
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Qualitative bar-magnet interaction and external field-direction sketch, with no calibrated force law.
What to look for
- S faces N and the magnets approach each other.
- S faces S and the magnets move apart.
Explain what you noticed
In a separate setup, the south pole of one bar magnet faces the south pole of another. What tendency is expected?
Keep this idea: Like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract; the interaction acts on both magnets.
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Source material checked 2026-10-29. Explanations and activities by Nepedia. Source links do not imply endorsement.
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