Following are the some of the basic properties of magnets:

• A magnet attracts magnetic substances like iron, steel towards it. The attraction is maximum at the two ends of the magnet. These ends are called poles of the magnet.
• When a magnet is suspended freely with the help of a thread, it comes to rest along the north-south direction. The pole which points towards geographical north is called north pole and pole which points towards geographic south is called south pole.
• Like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.
• The magnetic poles always exist in pairs that is magnetic monopoles do not exist. Two poles of magnet are always of equal strength.

Reference: This article is referred fro my authored book “Electrical Engineering Materials” having ISBN 978-81-272-5069-0