Magnetism (OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway))

The Law of Magnetism

Poles of a Magnet

• The ends of a magnet are called poles

• Magnets have two poles: a north and a south

Poles of a Magnet

The Law of Magnetism

• When two magnets are held close together, there will be an attractive or repulsive force between the magnets depending on how they are arranged:

Opposite poles attract; like poles repel

• The Law of Magnetism states that:

  • Two like poles repel each other

  • Two unlike poles attract each other

• The attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is an example of a non-contact force

• Attraction and repulsion can be shown by the magnetic field patterns around bar magnets

• The field lines will look slightly different for each:

Magnetic field lines for attracting and repelling bar magnets

• Therefore, the magnetic field lines around different configurations of two bar magnets would look like:

Magnetic field lines between two bar magnets