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Magnetism · Physics

Magnetic Field of a Bar Magnet Simulation

Fill the space around a bar magnet with compasses, arrows or iron filings and see its field. Add a second magnet: opposite poles attract and their field lines join; like poles repel and leave a neutral point between them.

Interactive virtual lab · no download · works on phones and laptops

Chapter
Magnetism and Matter
For
Class 10 · 12 · JEE · NEET
Time
~10 min

Magnetic Field of a Bar Magnet is a Pro simulation

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How to use it

  1. 1Drag a magnet to move it; drag the round handle at its end to turn it.
  2. 2Switch the view between compasses, arrows, iron filings and field lines.
  3. 3Add a second magnet and turn it to face N–S or N–N.
  4. 4Switch on Earth's field to find the neutral points.

What to notice

  • A compass needle's N end points along the field: away from N, towards S.
  • Field lines crowd near the poles, where the field is strongest, and spread out as it weakens.
  • Between opposite poles the lines run from one magnet to the other; between like poles they push apart.
  • At a neutral point the fields cancel and a compass there has no preferred direction.

For teachers

A ready-made teaching kit comes with this lab

  • Lesson plan

    20 min, 4 steps

  • Ask the class

    4 questions with answers

  • Quick quiz

    7 questions, printable

  • Key formulas

    2 formulas

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About the Magnetic Field of a Bar Magnet simulation

The space around a magnet where its force acts is its magnetic field. A compass needle lines up with the field, its north end pointing away from the magnet's N pole and towards its S pole, and iron filings sprinkled round a magnet trace the field lines. The lines crowd near the poles, where the field is strongest.

This bar magnet field simulation fills the board with compasses, arrows or iron filings, or traces field lines. Add a second magnet facing it N–S to see the lines join and the magnets attract, or N–N to see them push apart around a neutral point; switch on Earth's field to find neutral points next to a single magnet. It covers Magnetic Effects of Current in Class 10 and Magnetism and Matter in Class 12, JEE and NEET.

Also covers: bar magnet, magnetic field lines, compass, iron filings, neutral point, attraction, repulsion, like poles repel, magnetic field pattern.

Frequently asked questions

Which way do magnetic field lines go?

From N to S outside the magnet and from S to N inside, forming closed loops.

What is a neutral point?

A point where two fields — for example a magnet's and Earth's — cancel, so a compass there doesn't settle in any direction.

Can magnetic field lines cross?

No: the field has a single direction at every point.

Why do like poles repel?

Their fields point in opposite directions between them; the lines push apart, and the magnets are pushed apart too.

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