Differences between Magnets and Non-magnets

The main difference between magnets and non-magnets is that magnets are able to attract metals whilst non-magnets cannot.

This can be experimented by assembling various materials for examining with a bar magnet. These materials include, iron nails, steel nails, coins, a piece of aluminium plate, a piece of glass, paper and wood. Each material is used as a sample.

A piece of bar magnet or any other magnet is brought close to each of the materials assembled and the observation is recorded as such. After the experiment, all the materials are grouped into two categories; magnets and non-magnets. The materials that are attracted by the bar magnet are magnetic whereas those that are not attracted are non-magnets.