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The pole of the magnet that points to earth's magnetic north is the south pole of the magnet

It should be understood that the north pointing end of a compass is a North magnetic pole. That being so, the north pole of the earth got its name because of this fact. Actually, the north pole of the earth has a South magnetic polarity which attracts the north pole of the compass. The south pole of a magnet points to the south pole of the earth because the south pole has a north magnetic polarity. Confused? Just remember that true (magnetic) north resides in the magnet; not in the earth. dbm 7/16/09

Clearer Answer

The above answer is incorrect. The poles of a magnet were named after the directions in which they point. The earth's poles were NOT named after a magnet's poles!

When a horizontally-suspended comes to rest, it points in an approximately North-South direction. For this reason, the end of the magnet pointing North was called the 'North-Seeking' pole, and the other end was called its 'South-Seeking' pole. We no longer use the terms 'seeking', and we now call the ends of a magnet its 'north pole' and 'south pole' and these terms are also used to define their magnetic polarities.

To differentiate it from True North and True South, we say that the magnet actually points to Magnetic North and Magnetic South -these are the names given to directions (or location) NOT their magnetic polarities. So, because 'unlike poles attract', the magnetic polarity at the location we call 'Magnetic North' is a south pole which therefore attracts the north pole of a magnet.

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If you cut off the north pole of a magnet what happens to the remaining part?

it becomes a magnet in it s own right with north and south poles


Why are there north and south ends to a magnet?

Originally, the poles of a magnet were called the 'North-seeking pole' and the 'South-seeking pole', because they pointed towards the North (actually Magnetic North) and South respectively. Over time, we have dropped the 'seeking' part of the names and they are now known, simply, as the 'north pole' and the 'south pole' These terms were then used as the names of the magnetic polarities of a magnet. Because 'unlike poles attract', the location we call "Magnetic North" has a south magnetic polarity.


What is the tendency of iron filings concentrates on the north and south poles?

becouse at north &south poles the pole strength is more than other part of bar magnet so attraction is also more at poles Theoretically, magnet's lines of force - as evinced by the iron filings - encompases all universe, but, nonetheless, they meet together at the magnet's poles


Can you separate the poles of magnet?

No. If you cut a magnet in half, each part will still have a north pole and a south pole.Scientists have been trying to obtain "magnetic monopoles", pressumably some particle that has a "north charge" or a "south charge", but so far, without success.No. If you cut a magnet in half, each part will still have a north pole and a south pole.Scientists have been trying to obtain "magnetic monopoles", pressumably some particle that has a "north charge" or a "south charge", but so far, without success.No. If you cut a magnet in half, each part will still have a north pole and a south pole.Scientists have been trying to obtain "magnetic monopoles", pressumably some particle that has a "north charge" or a "south charge", but so far, without success.No. If you cut a magnet in half, each part will still have a north pole and a south pole.Scientists have been trying to obtain "magnetic monopoles", pressumably some particle that has a "north charge" or a "south charge", but so far, without success.


A magnet attracts a piece of iron and the iron can then attract another piece of iron .What is the basis of this attraction?

When an iron piece is quite away from the magnet ,i.e, not present in magnetic field of the magnet then the iron piece is in neutral state ,i.e, there is no north & south pole . But , as soon as the iron piece interacts with magnetic field of magnet ,i.e, near to the magnet then the north pole of magnet make the nearer part or end of the iron piece south pole & simultaneously other part of iron becomes north pole . Similarly if south pole of the magnet interacts with iron piece then that end/part becomes north pole & other end becomes north pole . Now this iron piece has north & south pole .So iron piece is now converted into magnet which can attract other iron pieces in similar way as explained before .

Related Questions

Which pole of compass needle points to a south pole of a magnet is south pole or north pole?

First of all, it's important to understand that the term, 'magnetic north', is a location and has nothing to do with its magnetic polarity. It is called 'magnetic north' to differentiate it from 'true north', because that is where a compass needle points.Originally, the 'north pole' of a magnet (and of a compass needle) was called its 'north-seeking pole' but, over time, the word 'seeking' has been dropped, and we now call it, simply, the 'north pole' -which, by general agreement, is also its magnetic polarity.Since 'unlike poles attract', this means that the magnetic polarity of the location called 'magnetic north' is actually south. Or, to be more accurate, the region deep within the earth below 'magnetic north' is of south magnetic polarity.


What is the middle of a magnet called?

pole. the middle part of a magnet is the pole. :)


If you cut off the north pole of a magnet what happens to the remaining part?

it becomes a magnet in it s own right with north and south poles


What part of a magnet is concentrated?

it isn't, a magnet contains electrons and neutrons which connect to the electrons and neutrons in metal!


If you were to break the magnet in your sketch in half what would happen?

I don't see any sketch. But if you break a magnet in two, each part will be a magnet with its own north and south pole.


Why are there north and south ends to a magnet?

Originally, the poles of a magnet were called the 'North-seeking pole' and the 'South-seeking pole', because they pointed towards the North (actually Magnetic North) and South respectively. Over time, we have dropped the 'seeking' part of the names and they are now known, simply, as the 'north pole' and the 'south pole' These terms were then used as the names of the magnetic polarities of a magnet. Because 'unlike poles attract', the location we call "Magnetic North" has a south magnetic polarity.


Is it true that the magnetic force becomes stronger towards the centre of the magnet?

No.The part of the magnet where there is the strongest pull or attraction are called the poles of the magnet.


What part of speech is North?

The word north is a noun. It is one of the points on a compass.


What is a part of a circle between two points on a circle is called?

A part of a circle between two points on a circle is called is called an arc.


What part of the magnet will pick up most fillings?

The two poles North and South poles.


What is the tendency of iron filings concentrates on the north and south poles?

becouse at north &south poles the pole strength is more than other part of bar magnet so attraction is also more at poles Theoretically, magnet's lines of force - as evinced by the iron filings - encompases all universe, but, nonetheless, they meet together at the magnet's poles


Why would a magnet hung on a string point north?

Actually, they point at the magnetic north and south poles. The Magnetic North Pole is currently somewhere north-east of Canada. The naming of the poles on a magnet is confusing. The north pole would actually be better called the north seeking pole. Answer. Because the Earth itself acts like a massive magnet with its south pole at the Magnetic North Pole and vice versa. Remember 'like poles repel, unlike poles attract'.