Creating a One-Sided Magnet? | Natural Occurrence of Magnets

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Femme_physics
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Magnetism
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of creating a one-sided magnet by cutting an existing magnet at the boundary of its north and south poles. Participants also explore whether one-sided magnets occur naturally.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if cutting a magnet at its pole boundary would result in a one-sided magnet.
  • Another participant asserts that cutting the magnet would produce two separate magnets, each with both north and south poles, emphasizing that magnetic fields always have a north and south pole.
  • A further clarification is provided regarding magnetic field lines, stating that they are looped and do not have ends, which contributes to the understanding of how poles are perceived in magnets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are conflicting views on whether cutting a magnet can create a one-sided magnet.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of magnetic fields and the definition of one-sided magnets, as well as the implications of cutting a magnet.

Femme_physics
Gold Member
Messages
2,548
Reaction score
1
If I cut a magnet exactly where the border of its south and north pole is...does it mean I'm creating a one-sided magnet?

Also, are one sided magnets naturally-occurring?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No , you will then create 2 magnets with both north and south poles.
B fields always have a North and a south pole.
 
Ah...that's interesting... thanks :)
 
cragar said:
No , you will then create 2 magnets with both north and south poles.
B fields always have a North and a south pole.

I should say, rather, that B fields (field 'lines') have no end to them - they are looped, passing through more intenser regions, which we tend to refer to as Poles. Inside a permanent magnet (or a solenoid) the field 'lines' are still there.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K