MAGNETS

Magnets: 
The substances having the property of attracting iron, are known as magnets.

Discovery of Magnets:
A shepherd, names Magnes, in ancient Greece, discovered a rock on a hill-side, which attracts iron. This was a natural magnet, named Magnetite, which contains iron. This was how natural magnets were discovered.
Some says, magnets were first discovered at a place called Magnesia.

Types of Magnets:
1. Natural Magnet:
     The magnets which exist in nature and having attracting properties towards iron and other magnetic materials, are called natural magnets.
Example: Magnetite, Hametite, etc.

2. Artificial Magnets:
     The magnets which are made from the pieces of iron artificially, are called artificial magnets.
They exist in different shapes:
a) Bar Magnet
b) Horse-shoe Magnet
c) Cylindrical Magnet
d) Ball-ended Magnet

Applications of Magnets:
a) Stickers, that remain attached to the iron surfaces like almirahs or the doors of the refrigerators, have magnets attached inside them.
b) Pin Holders, the holder have magnet inside it, thats why pins seem to be sticking to the holder.
c) Pencil boxes, the lid fits tightly when we close it, without a locking arrangement. This happens due to magnetic properties.

Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Materials:
1. Magnetic Materials:
    The materials which get attracted towards a magnet, are magnetic materials.
Example: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminium, etc.

2. Non-Magnetic Materials:
    The materials which are not attracted towards a magnet, are non-magnetic materials.
Example: Soil, Cloth, Leather, Wood, Glass, Plastic, etc.