Magnet Playground
by ArcadeLabA magnet sandbox that makes invisible forces visible. Drag a bar magnet and its field lines bend and flow with it, curving from the north pole to the south pole. Bring a second magnet close to feel poles attract and repel, watch a compass needle swing to point along the field, and sprinkle iron filings that snap into the field's shape. A tactile introduction to magnetism and magnetic fields.
Frequently asked
What are magnetic field lines?
Field lines are a way to draw the invisible magnetic force around a magnet. They flow out of the north pole and curve back into the south pole. Where the lines are crowded, the magnet is strongest.
Why do magnets attract and repel?
Every magnet has a north and a south pole. Opposite poles (north and south) pull toward each other, while like poles (north and north, or south and south) push apart.
How does a compass work?
A compass needle is a tiny magnet that is free to spin. It turns until it lines up with the magnetic field around it — which is why a compass points along Earth's own magnetic field toward the poles.