Last reviewed: 2 November 2026
Updated November 2026. These Grade 7 notes on magnetism cover sub-strand 4.2 of Grade 7 Integrated Science: the properties of a magnet, the law of magnetism (like poles repel, unlike poles attract), how to sort materials into magnetic and non-magnetic, and the uses of magnets in daily life. Each section has a simple activity you can do at home with a fridge magnet, plus practice questions with answers.
The content follows the Magnetism sub-strand in the KICD Grade 7 Integrated Science curriculum design, where it comes after Electrical Energy in Strand 4.0, Force and Energy, with about 16 lessons.
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What Is a Magnet?
A magnet is an object that attracts iron and some other metals and produces a magnetic force around it. Natural magnets, such as the rock lodestone, occur in the ground; most magnets we use are made from iron, steel or special alloys. Magnets come in many shapes: bar magnets, horseshoe (U-shaped) magnets, ring magnets and the flat magnets on fridge doors.
Properties of a Magnet: Grade 7 Notes on Magnetism
The Grade 7 design lists four properties for learners to demonstrate.
1. Attraction and repulsion
A magnet attracts magnetic materials such as iron nails and pins. Two magnets can either attract or repel (push away) each other, depending on which ends face each other. Repulsion is the only sure test that an object is a magnet: an iron nail is attracted by both ends of a magnet but never repelled.
2. Poles
Every magnet has two poles, a north-seeking pole (N) and a south-seeking pole (S). The magnetic force is strongest at the poles. If you dip a bar magnet into iron filings or pins, most cling to the two ends and very few to the middle. Breaking a magnet in two does not give a single pole: each piece becomes a new magnet with its own N and S poles.
3. Direction (the directional property)
A freely suspended bar magnet, hung from a thread, swings and comes to rest pointing roughly north–south, with its north-seeking pole pointing north. This is how a magnetic compass works.
4. Magnetic strength
Some magnets are stronger than others. You can compare them by counting how many paper clips each one lifts in a chain, or by measuring from how far away each one pulls a pin.
The Basic Law of Magnetism
Like poles repel; unlike poles attract.
| Poles facing each other | What happens |
|---|---|
| N and N | Repel |
| S and S | Repel |
| N and S | Attract |
Activity: hang one bar magnet from a thread. Bring the north pole of a second magnet near its north pole, then near its south pole. Record what happens each time. You should find that it is pushed away by the like pole and pulled towards the unlike pole.
Magnetic and Non-Magnetic Materials
Magnetic materials are attracted by a magnet. Non-magnetic materials are not. Test common objects with a magnet and sort them into two groups.
| Magnetic | Non-magnetic |
|---|---|
| Iron nails, steel pins and paper clips, steel needles, nickel, cobalt, iron filings | Wood, plastic, rubber, paper, glass, cloth, copper wire, aluminium foil and cans, brass, gold, silver |
Watch out: not all metals are magnetic. Copper, aluminium, brass, gold and silver are metals, but a magnet does not attract them. The common magnetic metals are iron, nickel and cobalt, and alloys such as steel that contain iron.
Uses of Magnets in Day-to-Day Life
- Separating mixtures: a magnet pulls iron filings out of a mixture with sand or sulphur, which links back to the Mixtures sub-strand. Scrap yards use huge electromagnets to lift and sort iron.
- Radios and loudspeakers: a magnet inside the speaker helps turn electrical signals into sound.
- Refrigerator doors: a magnetic strip in the rubber seal keeps the door tightly shut.
- Magnetic compass: used by travellers, pilots, sailors and scouts to find direction.
- Toys: magnets give “magic” effects such as trains that link up or objects that move without touching.
Look around your home and list three other places you find magnets, for example phone cases, cupboard catches and notice boards.
Practice Questions With Answers
- State the basic law of magnetism. Answer: like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
- Where is the magnetic force of a bar magnet strongest? Answer: at its poles (the two ends).
- A learner says all metals are magnetic. Give one example that shows this is wrong. Answer: copper (or aluminium, brass, gold, silver) is a metal but is not attracted by a magnet.
- How would you separate iron filings from sand? Answer: pass a magnet over the mixture; the iron filings stick to the magnet and the sand is left behind.
- What happens when a freely suspended bar magnet comes to rest? Answer: it points in the north–south direction.
Common Mistakes
- Using attraction to prove an object is a magnet. Only repulsion proves it.
- Saying the middle of a magnet is strongest.
- Listing aluminium cans or copper wire as magnetic.
More Grade 7 Integrated Science
Magnetism follows Electrical Energy in Grade 7. Revise circuits and safety with our electricity revision guide, and the whole year with the Grade 7 Integrated Science revision guide. Grade 7 work counts towards KJSEA: the KNEC KJSEA regulations describe the assessment as measuring the competences set out in the curriculum designs, and it is sat at the end of Grade 9.
Try free questions on the Grade 7 CBC Challenge, sit the timed Grade 7 Integrated Science End Term 3 practice exam, or open the Grade 7 notes hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the properties of a magnet in Grade 7?
A magnet attracts magnetic materials, attracts or repels other magnets, has a north and a south pole where its force is strongest, points north–south when freely suspended, and can be stronger or weaker than other magnets.
Which materials are magnetic?
Iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys such as steel that contain iron. Wood, plastic, glass, rubber, copper, aluminium, brass, gold and silver are non-magnetic.
What is the law of magnetism?
Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Two north poles push apart, while a north and a south pole pull together.
Can I print these Grade 7 magnetism notes?
Yes. Open the page on a phone or computer and use the browser’s print or “Save as PDF” option.
Want marked practice? The first questions are free. A Day Pass (KSh 20) unlocks the full Grade 7 Integrated Science exam with worked answers for a day, and the Monthly Pass (KSh 500) opens every grade and subject for a month. Compare passes.