Sixth Grade
Worksheets
What Is Magnetism?
Most of us have used magnets to stick papers up on the refrigerator. You probably played with magnets when you were a young child. You know that magnets stick to some things but not to others. You know that sometimes magnets attract and want to stick together. You also know that there are other times when magnets repel and will push themselves apart. You may know what magnets are. You may know how they behave; but can you answer the question, What is magnetism?
Magnetism is a force. It is created by the electrons spinning around the nucleus of atoms. With most atoms, the electrons spin around the nucleus in different directions. A magnet is different. In a magnet, the electrons spinning around the nucleus all spin in the same direction. This makes a magnetic force. It surrounds the atom. A magnet is made up of many atoms. All of the electrons in a magnet spin the same direction. This creates two opposite ends .....
