ocr: What IS a magnet? Some objects, such as the needle in a compass, have a special property called magnetism. Objects that have this property are called magnets. Types of magnets MNKAPZEIZUIZZZUZL BAR MAGNET - - - HORSESHOE MAGNET. - - - - MAGNETIC COMPASS NEEDLE A1 magnet is surrounded by an invisible field of force called a magnetic field. This force makes objects containing the metals iron, cobalt, or nickel, attract or repel each other.