Poles of Magnets

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 Magnetic Poles

Every magnet has exactly two poles: North pole (N) and South pole (S).

Properties of Poles:

• Strongest attraction: Maximum magnetic force at poles
• Always in pairs: Cannot have single pole
• Opposite ends: Located at opposite ends of magnet
• Cannot separate: Breaking magnet creates new poles

Iron Filings Experiment: When iron filings are sprinkled around a magnet, they cluster mainly at the poles, showing that magnetic force is strongest there.

🔹 Law of Magnetic Poles

Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. A single North or South pole cannot exist independently.

What happens when you break a magnet:

• Original magnet: One N pole, one S pole
• After breaking: Each piece has both N and S poles
• No matter how small: Always has two poles
• This continues indefinitely

🔹 Finding Pole Strength

Methods to identify strong magnetic regions:

1. Iron filing test: More filings stick at poles
2. Attraction test: Stronger pull near poles
3. Compass test: Compass needle deflects more near poles

Practical Significance: Understanding poles helps in:

• Using magnets effectively
• Making electromagnets
• Designing magnetic devices
• Navigation systems