How to Join Magnets

Joining magnets is easy, but it helps to have a basic knowledge of magnets to know how to best manipulate their properties. Magnets have a North and South pole, or end, and exert a magnetic field. To join two magnets one need only link the North pole of one magnet to the South pole of another, and the opposite poles will exert a mutual pulling force, or attraction. On the other hand, joining two North poles or two South poles requires an external restraint to hold these opposing fields together, whether your hands or Scotch tape, say.

Things You'll Need

• Two or more magnets
• Scotch tape

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Determine the North- and South-seeking poles of the magnets. You can do this easily by noting the force by which each of the two sides attract or alternatively repel each other.

   • 2

     Join the North and South poles. This is another method to determine which side is which (if not indicated on the magnet by a red side corresponding to North and blue side corresponding to South). This is the easiest way to join magnets, as these opposite poles mutually attract one another.

   • 3

     Join North with North poles or South with South poles. If you are dealing with strong magnets, then this step might be difficult. If you can, with your hands, force the opposing sides together, then you can use scotch tape to keep them together.

   • 4

     Join the magnets by holding them together with one hand and wrapping the scotch tape tightly around the two mutually repulsive poles. Reinforcement is necessary, as over time the continuous resistance of the opposing poles will slowly break open the tape.

   • 5

     Construct larger magnetic fields by combining at least four small magnets into a large "meta-magnet."