What characterizes magnetism?

Magnetism is characterized by the ability to exert forces that can attract or repel objects without the necessity of physical contact. This non-contact nature is a fundamental property of magnetic forces, which operate over a distance through the magnetic field emitted by magnets or magnetic materials. For example, a magnet can pull a paperclip towards it even when they are not touching, illustrating this unique ability of magnetism.

Other options do not capture this core characteristic. Options that suggest magnetism requires physical contact or is solely a type of frictional force fail to acknowledge its fundamental behavior of acting at a distance. Furthermore, limiting magnetism to electrical appliances overlooks the broader prevalence and applications of magnetic phenomena in various contexts, including compasses, MRI machines, and countless other uses throughout technology and nature. Thus, the essence of magnetism lies in its capacity to attract or repel without direct physical interaction.