What Makes the North and South Magnetic Poles Unique?

[Physicist50]

I was wondering what the difference in the magnetic poles north and south is and what makes them unique.

 

[phinds]

I was wondering what the difference in the magnetic poles north and south is and what makes them unique.

One is North and the other is South.

 

[Physicist50]

Indeed, but what makes one magnet north and one magnet south? Is there a difference in atomic or molecular structure, or the way they work?

 

[Q-reeus]

Indeed, but what makes one magnet north and one magnet south? Is there a difference in atomic or molecular structure, or the way they work?

They are fictitious entities that correspond to what is commonly known as the Gilbert model of a magnetic dipole. It treats magnetic material as consisting of tiny dipoles comprised of fictitious point magnetic charges (monopoles), in analogy with real electric dipoles that can exist in a dielectric material. When such dipoles are uniformly aligned along say a bar magnet, one face is then considered to be exposed to north magnetic charges, the other to south magnetic charges. This picture is consistent with the correct external magnetic field generated by such a permanent magnet - although in real magnets magnetization is never completely uniform and the 'magnetic charge' distribution is somewhat more complicated than just charges at each end face.

A rival Ampere model is considered more fundamental as it provides a picture closer to what is actually thought to apply to real intrinsic magnetic dipoles. It treats the fundamental dipoles as composed of tiny current loops, and when these are aligned in a bar magnet, internal currents essentially cancel, leaving surface currents on the side surfaces that correspond to a solenoidal distribution. There is then no north and south poles. The Ampere model gives the same external field as Gilbert model, but yields a very different result for the internal field. Normally this doesn't matter as only the external region is accessible. Wikipedia has some good info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_dipole
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_moment

 

[sardar]

The magnetic poles, both north and south, are the two points on the Earth's surface where the magnetic field lines converge and enter or exit the Earth. The main difference between the two poles is their location relative to the geographic poles. The north magnetic pole is located in the Arctic region, while the south magnetic pole is located in the Antarctic region.

One of the key characteristics that makes the magnetic poles unique is their polarity. The north magnetic pole has a positive polarity, while the south magnetic pole has a negative polarity. This polarity determines how the Earth's magnetic field interacts with other magnetic fields, such as those from the sun, and plays a crucial role in protecting the Earth from harmful solar radiation.

Another important difference between the two poles is their strength. The north magnetic pole is currently stronger than the south magnetic pole, with a magnetic field strength of approximately 60 microteslas compared to the south magnetic pole's field strength of 25 microteslas. This difference in strength can vary over time, as the Earth's magnetic field is constantly changing.

Furthermore, the magnetic poles are also unique in their behavior. The north magnetic pole, for example, has been observed to wander and shift over time, while the south magnetic pole remains relatively stable. This behavior is due to the complex and dynamic nature of the Earth's magnetic field, which is influenced by various factors such as the Earth's rotation, the movement of molten iron in the Earth's core, and external magnetic fields.

In conclusion, the magnetic poles, although similar in their role as the convergence points of the Earth's magnetic field, have distinct characteristics that make them unique. Their polarity, strength, and behavior all contribute to the complex and fascinating nature of the Earth's magnetic field, and further research and study are needed to fully understand these phenomena.