• Question: Why do magnets react in different ways when they are flipped over?

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      Asked by ladypotatoes to Martin on 16 Mar 2015.
      • Photo: Martin Wieczysty

        Martin Wieczysty answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        A magnet produces a magnetic field – a good way of seeing this is to place a magnet under a sheet of paper – then sprinkle iron filings on top. A diagram can be found here:
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field
        In the diagram you will see that the field has size and direction – look at the arrows. Magnets have a north and south pole – just like the earth. If you place two north sides together they are repelled as two magnetic fields are pushing against each other. If you match north with south – they stick together as one field pushing out meets a field pulling in.

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