12.1: Magnetic Fields

Describe the properties of a magnetic field.

A.1 A magnetic field is a vector field that describes the magnetic force exerted on moving electric charges, electric currents, or magnetic materials.

• Magnetic fields can be produced by magnetic dipoles or combinations of dipoles, but never by single poles.

• Magnetic dipoles have north and south polarity.

12.1.A.2 A magnetic field is a vector quantity and can be represented in space using vector field maps.

• Magnetic field lines form closed loops.

• Magnetic fields in a bar magnet form closed loops with the external magnetic field pointing away from one end of the bar magnet defined as the north pole and towards the other end defined as the south pole.

Magnetic Field Direction In Relation to Fixed Magnets