F***ng Magnets, How Do They Work?

First, a little history -- The Insane Clown Posse once infamously pondered how Magnets might function: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/fcking-magnets-how-do-they-work

The genius of Richard Feynman was asked a similar question in 'Fun to Imagine' 4: Magnets, and he struggles to explain it in lay terms. But it's a great look at what each of us must bring to the table to understand an answer.

In summary: Physics is hard -- but, WHY it is hard has an interesting answer.

Our understanding of the electromagnetic force is described in detail in the equation that represents the Standard Model of physics. To really understand Electromagnetism would require that you undertake understanding that equation.

But I think that understanding that it is the result of an alignment of many atomic spins in the material and all those tiny forces add up is a pretty good start.

I also found a nice mathematical explanation on Quora.

If you know of a very insightful resource for this let us know!

YouTube - Great Minds: Richard Feynman - The Uncertainty Of Knowledge

YouTube - Great Minds: Richard Feynman - The Uncertainty Of Knowledge

Quote from video:

You see, one thing, is I can live with doubt and uncertainty and not knowing. I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers and possible beliefs and different degrees of certainty about different things but I'm not absolutely sure of anything and then many things I don't know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask, "Why we are here?" and what that question might mean.

A truly brilliant mind that understands the inherent limitations of knowledge.