Lesson 2 of 6
Magnetic fields
Goal: Draw the magnetic field around a magnet.
The space around a magnet where its magnetic force acts is called a magnetic field.
The field of a bar magnet, drawn as field lines.
- Field lines show the field. Their arrows point from the north pole round to the south pole.
- Where the lines are closest together, the field is strongest. For a bar magnet that is at the poles.
- Field lines never cross. They spread out as the field gets weaker, further from the magnet.
- To find the shape of a field, sprinkle iron filings round the magnet, or use a plotting compass.
Your turn
Check yourself
Knowledge organiser
This lesson on one page. Tap it to make it bigger.
Key words in this lesson
Magnetic force A non-contact force from a magnet on a magnetic material
North pole The end of a magnet that points north when the magnet can turn freely
South pole The end of a magnet that points south when the magnet can turn freely
Magnetic field The space around a magnet where its magnetic force acts
Field lines Lines with arrows that show the direction and strength of a magnetic field
Plotting compass A small compass used to find the direction of a magnetic field