194 



Common Science 



over a magnet is probably this: Every molecule of 

 iron may be an extremely tiny magnet; if it is, each 

 molecule has a north and south pole like the needle 

 of a compass. In an ordinary needle (or in any un- 

 magnetized piece of iron or steel) these molecules would 

 be facing every way, as shown in Figure 107. 



But when a piece of steel or iron that is already mag- 

 netized is brought near the unmagnetized needle, all 

 the north poles of the molecules of the needle are pulled 



FIG. 107. Diagram of molecules in 

 unmagnetized iron. The north and 

 south poles of the molecules are sup- 

 posed to be pointing in all directions. 



FIG. 1 08. Diagram of magnetized 

 iron. The north and south poles of 

 the molecules are all supposed to point 

 in the same direction. 



