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Magnets and poles
Beginner
Like poles repel and opposite poles attract.
Every magnet has a north and south pole; like poles repel and unlike attract. Cutting a magnet gives two smaller magnets, never isolated poles.
A compass needle's north end points to Earth's geographic north, which is a magnetic south pole.
Magnetic poles always come in pairs.
In more detail
Magnets have north and south poles, and like poles repel while unlike poles attract. Unlike electric charges, magnetic poles always come in pairs, so a magnet cut in half still has two poles.
Real-world uses
- Compass needles align with Earth's field to show direction.
- Fridge magnets hold notes to metal doors.
- Fridge magnets stick to the door and to each other because their poles attract and repel in predictable ways.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I isolate a single magnetic pole?
No. Every attempt to separate poles produces new pairs, which is why no magnetic monopole has been observed.
Why do magnets attract iron?
Iron's domains align with the field, making the iron temporarily magnetic and attracted to the magnet.
Can I cut a magnet to separate its north and south poles?
No. Every piece of a magnet still has a north and a south pole, so the poles always come in pairs.
Related topics in Magnetism & Induction
Magnetic field lines · Earth's magnetic field · Magnetic force on a moving charge