Tracing Magnetic Field around a bar magnet using a Magnetic Compass

Magnetic Fields

This is a region around a magnet where the magnetic force can be experienced. A magnetic field is made of lines of force called magnetic field lines. The pattern which a magnetic field makes can be shown using fine iron filings or a plotting compass.

Direction of magnetic field lines.

The direction of a magnetic field line is the direction in which an imaginary free N – pole will travel if it were free to do so.

Characteristics of Magnetic Field Lines - Field lines are always in a state of tension and turn to move away from each other. - Magnetic filed lines always move north to the South Pole. - Field lines never intersect. - Magnetic field lines are imaginary lines. - The number of field lines per unit area (flux density) represents the strength of the field at that point.

The Plotting Compass

It is made up of a needle – like magnet, suspended by a spindle such that its north pole (the red arrow head) points to the direction of the south pole of a nearby magnet and vice versa. It is use to trace the direction of magnetic fields. More at https://www.meetlearn.com