A boy stands safely behind a table studying two still bar magnets whose facing ends are covered.

Why do magnets pull and push?

These two magnets can snap together—or shove each other apart. What decides which one happens?

A whole magnet carries two different end types. Turn it around: the types trade places, but neither disappears.

Type one is left; type two is right.

Two practice carts, already let go. Switch the facing types, then change the gap. Matching types push apart. Different types pull together. Closer means stronger.

Matching types push; both carts move outward.

Do not turn the left practice magnet. Flip only the right one: its other end faces the gap, so the same two bars can switch direction.

Matching facing types: push apart.

Fresh mystery ends. X and Y pulled. Then Y and Z pushed. Y showed the same end both times. Now covered X faces covered Z.

Old records: X–Y pulled · Y–Z pushed · every type still covered

When the pins lift, will the untested mystery ends X and Z push apart, pull together, or can the old tests not tell us?