Magnets and Gravity

If the fact that a magnet attracts iron particles from dirt demonstrates that magnetic force is far powerful than gravity, then why don't 2 people with same magnets in their pockets attract each other as oppose to staying put in their places due to gravity?
- Kasa (age 30)
Bangalore, India

Which forces are stronger depends on what the objects are, how far away they are, etc. The force between two little magnets close together can be stronger than the force of gravity from the Earth on either one. yet it's much less than the force of gravity on a person, especially when the magnets are farther apart. It's not tricky, just simple and quantitative.

Mike W.

(published on 12/22/2017)