Understanding Magnetic Fields: Compass Direction in a Bar Magnet

[rh23]

Homework Statement

If a compass was placed inside a bar magnet which way would north point.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

It seems when you put a compass around a bar magnet it points in the direction of the tangent to the magnetic field line at that location. Inside a bar magnet the magnetic field lines run from south to north so i believe the compass "N" will point to the north pole of the bar magnet

 

[gneill]

Homework Statement

If a compass was placed inside a bar magnet which way would north point.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

It seems when you put a compass around a bar magnet it points in the direction of the tangent to the magnetic field line at that location. Inside a bar magnet the magnetic field lines run from south to north so i believe the compass "N" will point to the north pole of the bar magnet

Historically, a magnet's north pole was taken to be the end of the magnet that is attracted to the direction of the north geographic pole. Of course today we understand that this makes the Earth's north actually a south magnetic pole!

 

[rh23]

Not sure if that was suppose to help?