Magnets are the most helpful tools out there. They save cows, guide sailors, and save your homework. Magnets have it all.

Are there different types of magnets? Well, believe it or not, there are. One is called the temporary magnet. This can only last a short period of time. Also, there is the permanent magnet. This is the opposite of the temporary magnet. It can last a long period of time. Another is the cow magnet. It helps the cows, and the farmers. Many times the cow will eat it’s food so fast that it swallows metal. When the metal reaches the cow’s intestines, it kills the cow and the farmers can’t produce as much milk. Then, there came the cow magnet. It was thin and long, and the cow would swallow it. Now, whenever metal goes into the cow’s stomach, the magnet attracts it before it reaches the cow’s intestines. Another is the floppy disk. A magnet is used to save documents, and more. It writes down a series of 1’s and 0’s that the computer reads. Finally, there is the compass. This popular item constantly points to magnetic north pole. Without magnets, the compass would not work.

            Although magnets are useful for many things, they can’t do everything. Items like a pencil, t-shirt, and paper do not attract a magnet. The reason is that those items do not have iron in them. Items with iron, like a paperclip, a tin can, a license plate, and the top of a clipboard will attract a magnet.

            Magnets can also attract through items. They can attract through a wooden ruler, cardboard, aluminum foil, a pattern block, a glass jar a mug, a plastic bag, and a cup of water. Magnets can’t attract through a hand, a piece of fabric, a tin can, or a shelf. I think that the reason it didn’t work was because the item the magnet was trying to attract through was already magnetic, or it was to thick for the magnetic field to get through.

            So the next time you see a magnet, think about it’s hard job. Saving cows, guiding sailors, carrying documents. Magnets have it all.