Rare Earth Magnets: Why Do North Poles Attract?

[overlook1977]

I have a set of rare Earth magnets. I have two separate stacks of them, emulating two bar magnets. Both magnets' North poles resist each other (obviously). However, if I put a straightened paperclip between both North poles, the wire is attracted to both magnets connecting both Norths via the paperclip. I would have assumed the first magnet would have made the tip of the wire a North pole, thereby repelling the North pole of the second magent. Why does it do this?

 

[Meir Achuz]

The paper clip is a soft FM, so its magnetization is induced by the closest bar magnet in each case. This makes each end of the clip like a S pole.
The magnetization in the clip weakens as you go toward the middle where it is zero.

 

[sir-pinski]

This is a great observation and a common misconception about magnets. The reason why the paperclip is attracted to both North poles is because of the unique properties of rare Earth magnets. These magnets are made from alloys of rare Earth elements, which have an incredibly strong magnetic field. This strong magnetic field is what allows the paperclip to be attracted to both North poles.

In a bar magnet, the magnetic field is strongest at the poles and weaker in the middle. When you place the paperclip between the two North poles, it becomes magnetized by the strong magnetic field and becomes a temporary magnet itself. This temporary magnet is then attracted to the North poles of both magnets, creating a connection between them.

Additionally, the orientation of the paperclip also plays a role. If you were to flip the paperclip over, it would be repelled by both North poles. This is because the paperclip's magnetic field would now be aligned in the opposite direction, causing it to repel the North poles.

In summary, the paperclip is attracted to both North poles because it becomes a temporary magnet itself, and the orientation of the paperclip also affects its interaction with the magnets. I hope this helps clarify the concept of magnetic attraction between rare Earth magnets.