How do magnets work?

Indeed, magnets work through a phenomenon known as magnetism, which arises from the movement of electrons within certain materials. At the heart of this process are tiny units called domains, clusters of atoms that align themselves in a particular direction. When these domains line up consistently throughout a material, it becomes a magnet. The alignment creates a magnetic field, an invisible force that can attract or repel other magnets and certain metals like iron. This behaviour is most pronounced in materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, the classic ferromagnetic substances. Indeed, even the simplest bar magnet has this intricate structure at its core.