How is earth like a magnet?

Earth’s magnetic field is mostly caused by electric currents in the liquid outer core, which is composed of conductive, molten iron. Loops of currents in the constantly moving, liquid iron create magnetic fields. From afar, the Earth looks like a big magnet with a north and south pole like any other magnet. read more

Students will review how Earth is like a magnet with the sentence-completion and skill-challenge activities in this printable. They will fill in the blanks to complete sentences about Earth's magnetic field, label Earth's poles, and draw the magnetosphere. read more

Earth is like a giant magnet in several ways. Not only does it have a magnetic north and south pole that act similarly to the poles on bar magnets, but the planet is surrounded by a strong magnetic field, which is electrically charged and able to interact with magnetized matter. read more

The Earth acts as a magnet because of electric currents generated through the movement of iron in the Earth's molten core. This motion creates a very weak magnetic force that expands from Earth reaching tens of thousands of miles into space. read more