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Lesson 1.1 - What is Magnetism?

What is the Shape of a Magnetic Field?

Vocabulary
  • magnet
  • magnetic pole
  • magnetic force
  • magnetic field
  • magnetic field lines
What is the shape of a magnetic field?

Magnetic Field
  • Magnetic forces are exerted all around a magnet.
  • The area of magnetic force around a magnet is known as its magnetic field.
  • Because of magnetic fields, magnets can interact without touching.

 
 
 

Magnetic Field Lines
  • Magnetic field lines are lines that map out the magnetic field around a magnet.
  • Magnetic field lines spread out from one pole, curve around the magnet, and return to the other pole.
  • Arrows are used to indicate the direction of the magnetic field lines - always leaving the north pole and entering the south pole.

 
 
 







Magnetic Field Strength
  • The closer the lines are, the stronger the field.
  • A magnet's mangetic field lines are closest together at the poles.

 
 
 



Combined Fields
  • When the magnetic fields of two or more magnets overlap, the result is a combined field.
  • Depending on which poles are near each other, the magnetic field lines are different.