Magnets and magnetic materials

In a nutshell

Unlike contact forces, magnets can interact with one another without being in contact. They attract or repel not only other magnets, but other materials as well.

Magnets

Magnets are objects which create a force on other magnets or magnetic materials. When a magnet interacts with another magnet it can attract or repel however whenever a magnet interacts with a magnetic material it is always attractive. 

If the two poles of the magnets are opposites, then the magnets will attract. Whereas, if the poles are the same then the two magnets will repel.

The stronger a magnet is, the larger the force will be and the further away other magnets or magnetic materials will be affected. 

Magnets have magnetic fields around them. When other magnets and magnetic materials are placed in this field, they will experience a magnetic force. 

Metals

​Most materials that are attracted to magnets are metals, they feel a force towards the magnet due to the magnetic field around the magnet. They only feel the force if they are inside the magnetic field of the magnet. 

Some metals are magnetic materials, this means that they produce their own magnetic field and are attracted to magnets. Other metals are non-magnetic materials, they don't have their own magnetic field but still feel the effects of one from a magnet. 

All non-metals are not magnetic. This includes materials such as plastic and cotton. 

Example

Below are examples of magnetic and non-magnetic metals.