POLARITY

A magnetic field has a direction, or orientation, at any point in space near a current-carrying wire or a permanent magnet. The flux lines run parallel to the direction of the field. A magnetic field is considered to begin, or originate, at a north pole and to end, or terminate, at a south pole. These poles are not the same as the geomagnetic poles; in fact, they are precisely the opposite! The north geomagnetic pole is in reality a south pole because it attracts the north poles of magnetic compasses. Similarly, the south geomagnetic pole is a north pole because it attracts the south poles of compasses. In the case of a permanent magnet, it is usually, but not always, apparent where the magnetic poles are located. With a current-carrying wire, the magnetic field goes around and around endlessly, like a dog chasing its own tail.
A charged electric particle, such as a proton, hovering in space, is an electric monopole, and the electrical flux lines around it aren’t closed. A positive charge does not have to be mated with a negative charge. The electrical flux lines around any stationary charged particle run outward in all directions for a theoretically infinite distance. However, a magnetic field is different. Under normal circumstances, all magnetic flux lines are closed loops. With permanent magnets, there is always a starting point (the north pole) and an ending point (the south pole). Around the current-carrying wire, the loops are circles. This can be seen plainly in experiments with iron filings on paper.

مواضيع ذات صلة

عجائب المجالات المغناطيسية

المجال المغناطيسي الارضي

Planetary magnetism

Therapy and treatment

Cellular biology

Magnetotaxis

Magnetic field effects

Electrodeposition

Magnetic memory

Materials for spin electronics

Actuators

Sensors