subject: Magnetic Field Around A Bar Magnet [print this page] Introduction to magnetic field around a bar magnet
The permanent magnets are made in various shapes such as bar, rod, disc, ring and so on. The bar magnet is in the shape of a bar having two poles indicated as N and S. N indicates the north pole and S indicates the south pole of a magnet. The north pole of the magnet is indicated by a dot also. Let us discuss about the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
Magnetic Field around a Bar Magnet
Let us trace the magnetic lines of force around a bar magnet to describe the magnetic field around the bar magnet. Place the compass needle close to the north pole of the magnet. Once the needle comes into rest, look from the above and with a pencil mark the position of the north pole of the compass needle on the paper. Now shift the compass needle a head in such a way that after the compass needle settles down, its south pole is at the point marked for the previous position of the North Pole. Mark the position of the north pole of the compass needle at the new location. Keep shifting the compass needle marked on the paper with a smooth curve. The curve will look like the dotted line. If you draw a tangent at any point on this line, the magnetic field at that point will be along this magnet. A line such as the dotted line is called a magnetic field line or magnetic line of force. Remember that the magnetic field lines are imaginary, but they help us visible magnetic fields.
The permanent magnets are made in various shapes such as bar, rod, disc, ring and so on. The bar magnet is in the shape of a bar having two poles indicated as N and S. N indicates the north pole and S indicates the south pole of a magnet. The north pole of the magnet is indicated by a dot also. Let us discuss about the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
Conclusion of the Magnetic Field around a Bar Magnet
The direction of a magnetic needle at a place near a magnet indicates the direction of the magnetic field at that place. We can see the magnetic field around the magnet with the help of iron fillings too. Place a glass or clear plastic sheet over a bar magnet. Sprinkle some iron fillings over the sheet and gently tap the sheet. The iron fillings will arrange themselves to show the magnetic field around the bar magnet.
