Magnet Playground

Magnetic fields are invisible, but compasses can see them. Drag the magnet around and watch every compass needle turn to follow the field.

Magnets
1
Tip
Drag the magnets!

The rules

Like poles repel, unlike poles attract
Field lines run from N to S outside a magnet
Field strength ∝ 1 ÷ distance³ (far away)

The red end of each compass needle points the way the field goes. Line two magnets up N to S, then N to N.

How it works

Every magnet has a north (N) and a south (S) pole. Outside the magnet, the magnetic field runs from the north pole round to the south pole.

A compass needle is a tiny magnet, so it lines up with the field. Where the needles are darker, the field is stronger. Bring two magnets together and their fields add up, so like poles push apart and unlike poles pull together.

Try this

  1. Where is the field strongest? Where is it weakest?
  2. Add a second magnet and line it up N to S, then N to N. What happens to the field lines between them?
  3. Rotate the magnet. Do the compasses follow it?