Explore the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines
Drag a bar magnet and a compass to see the magnetic field direction, strength and field lines. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines?
Drag a bar magnet and a compass to see the magnetic field direction, strength and field lines. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Navigation, MRI scanners, electric motors and hard drives all depend on magnetic fields.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Field lines leave the north pole and enter the south pole.
A compass needle lines up with the field.
The field is strongest close to the poles.
Drag the compass all the way around the magnet.
Flip the magnet and watch the needle turn.
Reduce the strength.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Flip the magnet and watch the needle turn. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What do magnetic field lines show?
The direction a compass points and, by how close together they are, how strong the field is.
Why does a compass point north?
The Earth acts like a giant magnet, and the compass needle lines up with its field.
Is the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines free to use?
Yes. The Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 2 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines?
1. In the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines, use the controls to change Magnet strength, Field lines. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines, pick an option such as Show, Hide to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines, press "Flip the magnet", "Reset" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Drag the compass all the way around the magnet. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Field lines leave the north pole and enter the south pole.
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Try the Magnet & Compass: Magnetic Field Lines now
Drag a bar magnet and a compass to see the magnetic field direction, strength and field. Free to use.
Try it free