A magnet will interact with other magnetic objects. The force that moves magnetic objects either closer together or apart is a magnetic force that cannot be seen by eye. Objects that are magnetic have what are called magnetic fields which are the unseen forces that cause magnets to attract or repel each other. How large or small the electric field of an object is depends on how strong the magnet is. When you move a magnetic object close to another magnetic object, they start to attract or repel depending on a few things; on how strong each magnet is, the shape of the magnet, and which pole (north or south) is interacting. Magnets are very interesting and surprisingly complicated. A handy resource is the following: click here .