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Learning Introductory Physics with Activities

Paul J. Emigh, Rebecka Tumblin, Kathryn Hadley, Danielle Skinner

Section 11.7 Magnetic Dipoles

Exercises Warm-up Activity

1.

Shown below are two bar magnets. Describe how they will interact with one another. What will happen to their motion?
Two bar magnets sit side by side, with their south poles facing each other.
Figure 11.7.1. Two bar magnets sit side by side, with their south poles facing each other.
Bar magnets have a physical property called the magnetic dipole moment.

Definition 11.7.2. Magnetic Dipole Moment.

The magnetic dipole moment, \(\vec{\mu}\text{,}\) points from the south to the north pole inside a bar magnet.
The magnetic field around a simple magnetic dipole has the form shown below.
A bar magnet with a north and south pole. The field lines come out of the north pole and curve out and around to the south pole.
Figure 11.7.3. Magnetic Field Lines of a bar magnet.

Exercises Activities

The figure below shows a bar magnet and a loop with current that is running clockwise when viewed from above.
A bar magnet sits above a loop of current that is running clockwise when viewed from above. The north pole is closest to the loop of current.
Figure 11.7.4. A bar magnet sits above a loop of current that is running clockwise when viewed from above. The north pole is closest to the loop of current.

1.

Describe what you expect to happen to the bar magnet and the loop as time progresses.

References References

[1]
"Magnetic Field Lines" modified from OpenStax, https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/11-2-magnetic-fields-and-lines
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