Q&A for How to Determine Polarity of Magnets

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Question

How can I find the north pole with a magnet?

Community Answer

Place the north end of one magnet near the magnet with unknown poles. If the north end repels the magnet, that side is the unknown magnet's north pole. This obviously only works if you know the polarity of one of the two magnets.

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Question

Give a reason why attraction is not regarded as a reliable method of testing for polarity?

Community Answer

Any ferro magnetic material will attract both ends of the compass; this will not reveal the polarity.

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Question

How do I understand when a place is magnetic?

Community Answer

Earth has a magnetic effect. A place can have a stronger magnetic effect, locally. If your compass points towards something other than north, it is being pulled towards the closer magnet.

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Question

How do I find the poles of a magnet using iron filings?

Community Answer

The iron fillings will go to both of the poles. They will ignore the center of the magnet.

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Question

How do I determine the north and south pole of a magnet?

Community Answer

Take a different magnet and bring it closer. The north pole of one magnet will repel to the north pole of other magnet. The south pole of one magnet will attract to the north pole of the other magnet

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Question

How can I understand the polarity in electromagnet?

Community Answer

Because the north pole has a magnetic field. your paperclip is magnetic. The pole is like a gigantic magnet. The north pole is just acting like it's trying to pull the paperclip away from you!

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Question

With the aid of a bar magnet with known polarity, describe how you would determine the poles of a bar magnet with unknown poles.

Community Answer

Put them a foot apart on a flat non-metal surface. The known polarity on the left, not known on the right. Bring the right side, not known magnet closer to the left by slowly sliding it. Depending on the known polarity, you will know the other by the opposite's attraction.

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