What is a magnet?

	A magnet is a material or object that creates an invisible magnetic field that allows it to attract ferromagnetic materials.
	A ferromagnetic material is a material that is attracted by a magnetic force. To be ferromagnetic, a material must contain the element iron, nickel, cobalt, or gadolinium.
	A magnetic field is the force around a magnet that gives the magnet its ability to attract and hold ferromagnetic materials. For more information see the page: What are the parts of a magnet?
	Each magnet has two magnetic poles, a north pole and a south pole. They are often referred to as the north and south "searching" poles, as each will try to find its namesake, which is either the earth's north or south magnetic pole.
	Earth has two sets of north and south poles, magnetic poles and geographic poles. The north magnetic pole is currently located at 80 degrees north latitude and 105 degrees longitude (northern Canada). The magnetic poles of the Earth are constantly moving due to the fact that the solid and liquid metal cores of the Earth move very slowly past each other.
	There are two different types of magnets: permanent magnets and electromagnets. Permanent magnets create their own magnetic field and can work indefinitely. Electromagnets, on the other hand, need electricity to work. This guide focuses on the different types of permanent magnets, including weld-on clip magnets and spherical magnets.