A magnet has a north pole and a south pole. North and south will attract, but "like" poles will repel each other. Magnetism is created when electrons "spin" in the same direction. In some substances this occurs naturally, but in most substances it does not. Items can be magnetized by hitting them so that all the electrons "spin" in the same direction.
The Earth acts as a huge magnet. As a result, pieces of iron or steel which lie in a North - South direction often became magnetized by "induction." Induction means the "forcing" of an object. If such objects are jolted while in this position, their molecules line up and they become more easily magnetized. Thus, some materials can be magnetized by tapping them with a hammer.
