a magnet is an object capable of the conduction of electricity, in which repeated exposure to an unevenly charged object causes one end of the magnet to become negatively charged, and the other to become positively charged, permanantly. When a magnet is exposed to a nuetral charged object that is capable of conduction, it attracts said object, when an object of negative/ positive charge is introduced the the same side on the magnet, the object is pushed away because the magnetic currents cannot mix. to tell the way a magnetic feild is pushing, you can use the magnet and your right hand with the thumb extended, and palm open. to create a simple compass, take a magnet an brush the positive side against the pointy end of the needle 50 or so times, the stick the needle through a cork (the rounded side)so that the eye and point are equidistant from the sides, and place in a cup of water. woo hoo.

(I wanted to be a magnetic engineer for a while)