How does a hand magnet work?

A hand magnet works by attracting ferromagnetic materials, such as steel sheets, so that they can be removed from a variety of different surfaces.

The pull force of the hand magnet attracts the ferromagnetic material to the magnet, holding it in place. The larger the pull force of the hand magnet, the more material it can attract.

A magnet’s pull force is determined by a number of different factors; for example, how the magnet has been coated and any damage which may have occurred to the surface of the magnet.

For more details, see page How does a hand magnet work?