Which of the following arrangements produces an attractive force?
All of these.
North Pole to North Pole.
None of these.
South Pole to South Pole.
South Pole to North Pole.
Magnets never attract each other, only iron filings.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is “South Pole to North Pole.”
Explanation:
Magnets interact with each other through a magnetic field, and the interaction between two magnets depends on the orientation of their poles. A magnet has two poles: a north pole and a south pole. When we consider the interaction between two magnets, there are some fundamental principles to remember:
- Like Poles Repel Each Other:
- The magnetic force between two like poles (north to north or south to south) is repulsive. This means that when the north pole of one magnet is placed near the north pole of another, or when the south pole of one magnet faces the south pole of another, the two magnets will push away from each other.
- North Pole to North Pole: This leads to a repulsive force.
- South Pole to South Pole: This leads to a repulsive force.
- Opposite Poles Attract Each Other:
- The magnetic force between opposite poles (north to south) is attractive. When the north pole of one magnet faces the south pole of another, the magnets will be attracted to each other, pulling them together.
- South Pole to North Pole: This leads to an attractive force.
Key Points:
- Magnets always interact based on their poles.
- If you place two like poles (north to north or south to south) together, they will repel.
- If you place two opposite poles (north to south) together, they will attract.
- The interaction of magnets is not limited to attracting only iron filings, but it is a force that operates between the poles of the magnets themselves.
Therefore, South Pole to North Pole creates an attractive force, making that the correct answer.