Bar Magnets are Some of Best for Demonstrations and Experiments
Bar Magnets - Great For Demonstrations and Experiments
When suspended freely, a bar magnet will align itself with Earth's magnetic field like an inexorable compass, due to each end being equipped with different poles called North and South.
If two identical poles of a magnet cross each other, their lines of force move in opposite directions and they become attracted to each other rather than repelling each other.
The North Pole
A bar magnet has two magnetic poles at either end; north and south poles. Even when broken in half, these poles remain and serve to attract or repel other magnets.
Magnetism works through attraction. A bar magnet's north pole attracts to the south pole of another magnet and vice versa. This simple yet effective observation illuminates this fundamental principle. Magnets' force of attraction makes them useful tools in many settings; from holding party invitations to operating hospital MRI machines.
The Earth can be imagined as a giant bar magnet with magnetic north and south poles, and when approached it aligns with these fields by moving towards its North Pole or away from its South Pole a compass will point north or south depending on which pole you approach; similarly when away from these poles it aligns with their field by always following its poles as magnetic field lines follow closed loops around a magnet's poles. This phenomenon occurs because magnetic field lines follow closed loops around its poles.
The South Pole
Each end of a bar magnet contains magnetic poles pointing north and south. Even after you cut it apart into pieces, its properties remain the same, which makes it an effective permanent magnet. Polarities are stronger on its poles than in its center; when suspended with thread tied around its waist it will tend to always point north; this phenomenon is called north-seeking pole; unlike poles of different magnets attract each other while like poles repel each other.
Compasses are extremely useful tools for determining direction. As soon as you move away from a magnet, its needle will rotate until its pointer lines up with Earth's magnetic field rather than that of the magnet's North indicator (which attracts Earth's North pole), while its South indicator repels it.
The Weight
Bar Magnets make for great demonstrations and experiments thanks to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, as they can withstand temperature extremes and radiation without becoming damaged over time. They're an ideal addition for use in electronic devices as well.
Bar magnets can be created through either "sintering," where magnetic powder is heated until it fuses together into a solid form, or through bonding, where powdered magnetic material is mixed with binding material before being formed into its desired shape.
Like any magnet, a bar magnet features north and south poles at both ends regardless of its composition or form. If suspended with thin wire in its middle, a bar magnet will rotate until its poles align with Earth's magnetic field; when unlike poles are close together they attract each other while similar poles attract and repel each other; this property enables mariner's compasses to work effectively.
The Material
Bar Magnets are composed of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co), making them super strong while having great educational value. One classic AlNiCo horseshoe magnet can lift approximately 5 lbs of solid iron.
Bar magnets are permanent magnets that retain their magnetic properties even when broken apart along the middle, just like any other magnet would. Each end will feature north and south poles - just as in any magnet!
To demonstrate that magnet's poles differ, sprinkle iron filings around it and observe how their particles line up with its magnetic field lines - this indicates that magnetism is stronger nearer the poles while weaker in its center region.
Use a bar magnet to demonstrate how the needle of a compass deviates when placed near one of its ends, since its north pole points towards Earth's north pole and its south pole to its own.