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magnetic field
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How do magnetic forces and poles work?
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magnets and their associated magnetic field lines Diagram showing a small copper sample suspended between the north and south poles of an electromagnet, with magnetic field lines concentrated around the sample in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Diagram showing magnetic field lines around a small horizontal current loop at the center, with arrows indicating the field direction created by a clockwise current when viewed from above. Diagram showing a circular loop of wire with an electric current, surrounded by curved blue lines representing magnetic field lines that loop around the wire and pass through its center. Diagram showing the magnetic field lines around two parallel current loops with currents flowing in opposite directions. The field lines form closed loops, curving outward from each loop and meeting between them, illustrating the opposing magnetic fields. Diagram showing two parallel current loops with currents flowing in the same direction, surrounded by blue magnetic field lines that form closed loops and connect the two coils, illustrating the combined magnetic field pattern. Diagram of an electromagnetic wave showing two perpendicular oscillating fields: electric field (E) and magnetic field (B), both at right angles to the direction of wave propagation (c). Wavelength is marked as lambda. Two diagrams show the magnetic field around a long straight wire carrying current. Panel A presents an end view with concentric circular field lines around the wire, current flowing toward the viewer. Panel B shows a three-dimensional view with the wire angled across the image and circular magnetic field lines surrounding it.

magnetic field: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Contributors

  • Rheanna Sand
    Rheanna Sand completed her Ph.D. in molecular neuropharmacology at the University of Alberta. She is now a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Anesthesiology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She is the co-founder, writer, and host for the website “Science in Seconds.” She is extremely proud of her Metis heritage and feels that a unique combination of science, history, and humor is needed to fully understand the world.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: Physics LibreTexts - Magnetic Fields. Nov 08, 2026
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Journal of Physics: Conference Series - Magnets and magnetic field around them: what can we learn from simple experiments. Sep 18, 2026
Add new Web site: University of Central Florida Pressbooks - University Physics Volume 2 - Magnetic Fields and Lines. Nov 19, 2025
Add new Web site: Illinois Institute of Technology - Magnetic Fields and Forces (PDF). Apr 24, 2025
Add new Web site: Mustansiriyah University - The Magnetic field (PDF). Jan 18, 2025
Add new Web site: Academia - Conductivity and Effect of Magnetic Field on its Destruction on the Basic of Generalized Statistical Physics. Dec 05, 2024
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Journal of Physics: Conference Series - Safety and Environment aspects of Tokamak- type Fusion Power Reactor- An Overview (PDF). Oct 09, 2024
Add new Web site: OpenStax - College Physics 2e - Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Field Lines. May 09, 2024
Add new Web site: Physics LibreTexts - Magnetic Fields. May 10, 2023
Add new Web site: Boston University - Physics - Magnetic fields and how to make them. Apr 01, 2023
Add new Web site: The University of Tennessee at Martin - Magnetic Field. Jan 05, 2023
Add new Web site: Physics LibreTexts - Magnetic Fields. Sep 01, 2022
Added diagram of magnets and their magnetic field lines. May 26, 2020
Changed "a region in the neighbourhood" to "a vector field in the neighbourhood." Changed "the Earth" to "Earth." Added "(For more information about magnetic fields, see magnetism.)" Sep 10, 2018
Add new Web site: The University of Tennessee System - Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces. Mar 21, 2016
Add new Web site: Khan Academy - What are magnetic fields? Mar 21, 2016
Add new Web site: Rader's Physics4Kids.com - Magnetic Field Basics. Mar 21, 2016
Add new Web site: Monroe Community College - The Magnetic Field. Mar 21, 2016
Add new Web site: Montana State University Solar Physics - What is a Magnetic Field? Feb 18, 2014
Video on the behaviour of bar magnets added. Nov 21, 2012
Video on the use of magnetic fields to generate electric current added. May 16, 2012
Add new Web site: Hyperphysics - Magnetic Field of the Earth. Dec 14, 2011
Added new Web site: Window To The Universe - The Invisible World of Magnetic Fields. May 11, 2009
Added new Web site: The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere - Magnetic Fields. Jan 24, 2007
Added new Web site: HyperPhysics - Magnetic Field. Jan 24, 2007
Added new Web site: NDT Resource Center - Magnetic Field Characteristics. Jan 24, 2007
Added new Web site: Magnet Man - Magnetic Field. Jan 24, 2007
Added new Web site: The Magnetic Sun - Magnetic Field. Jan 24, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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