Understanding Magnetic Fields: Compass Direction in a Bar Magnet

AI Thread Summary
When a compass is placed inside a bar magnet, the north end of the compass will point towards the bar magnet's north pole, following the direction of the magnetic field lines, which run from south to north. The compass aligns with the tangent to the magnetic field at its location. Historically, the north pole of a magnet was defined by its attraction to the Earth's geographic north, which is actually a magnetic south pole. This distinction highlights the complexity of magnetic terminology. Understanding these principles is crucial for grasping the behavior of magnetic fields.
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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
 
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rh23 said:

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!
 
Not sure if that was suppose to help?
 

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