Magnetism. A magnet is an object or device that produces a magnetic field. Magnet attracts objects made of nickel, iron and cobalt. A magnet has 2 poles, the North Pole and the South Pole. Opposite poles of two magnets always attract each other. Like poles of two magnets always repel each other. The Earth also behaves like a magnet. South pole of the Earth's magnet is in the geographical North. North Pole of the Earth's magnet is in the geographical South. A freely suspended magnet always rests in the North South direction. This is because opposite poles attract each other.