Bar magnet #2

Learning objectives

To visualize the action at a distance created by a magnet.
To show how the lines of force reveal the geometry of a magnetic field. The compass needle remains parallel to the field lines.
To show that the lines of force are intrinsic to a magnet.

The deviation experienced by a compass needle reveals the action at a distance of the magnetic field.

Magnetic field lines are a useful mean of visually representing the vector nature of the magnetic field. This pattern of lines reveals the symmetry of the magnetic field which would be otherwise hard to depict.