system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: How can a magnetic field go through wood and other materials? What does a magnetic field consist of?
gpt
We dont know. But you first need to understand the field isnt a physical thing where a block of wood or material would stop it. it is an area of potential charge. It exists due to a subatomic arrangement of particles within matter, we think.

 The question is like, what is gravity? How can it exist through wood?

We know it does, we just dont know exactly why. We see it and can model it. We know what materials can create it. We can make artificial magnets with current, but we actually still do not understand the specific mechanic.

Like gravity it is an undeniable fundamental force. 

We can only describe what creates a magnetic field and/or is naturally magnetic. For some reason, passing a current thru a wire creates a field, we dont know why.

Also, just like a collection of mass creates a larger gravitic field, a permanent magnet appears to be compromised of specific building blocks. Specifically, according to gage theory, elements comprised of specific bosons in alignment can create a larger magnetic field we can see. The belief then is that these bosons are aligined when current passes thru an object. 

So, just like the higgs boson conveys mass in our reality, so to do other bosons convey electromagnetism, which again, is an area of charge. The only way to stop it, is to distort it with a stronger field. 

Specifically, the boson responsible for electromagnetism is one most are familiar with. Photons. Photons move right? Yes, but can remain static via virtual particles. This explanation would require a dive into quantum mechanics i dont have a good grasp on. A high level but probably incorrect way of understanding it and moving on, is simply believing that photon is interacting in another dimension we cant yet measure, leaving what appears to be a virtual particle. This static virtual particle still interacts with our environment in the form of an electromagnetic field. 

(EDIT) So, to conclude, building blocks of atoms create the field, field is area of potential charge, but not a physical thing, why this occurs we don't know (magic)

Someone please correct if wrong, im trying to recall from nearly a decade ago.