Magnets have played an important role in the technological progress of mankind. Even high school students know about the ability of a magnet to attract metals and its other properties. But the material boasts one secret, which not everyone can solve. Why, if you divide the magnet into two parts, will they have two poles?

History of the study of magnet

Even in ancient times, when people mined ore in mines, they stumbled upon black material attracting metal objects. However, due to lack of education and lack of opportunity to study it, everything was attributed to the wonders of nature. And since the mines were located in Magnesia, the black stones were nicknamed the “magnet”.

Interesting fact: There is a legend according to which the shepherd Magnus was the first to come across a magnet, and they supposedly named a stone in his honor.

In the 13th century, the scientist Petr Peregrin was the first to study the magnet and reveal its south and north poles. This helped to invent the first compasses. In the 19th century, scientists established a connection between magnetism and electricity. The first experiments with a galvanic coil were performed, which helped to significantly advance in the study of physical phenomena. In 1825, engineer William Sturgeon manufactured the first electromagnet.

Why do parts of a divided magnet have their poles?

If you divide a large magnet into two parts, then they form their own south and north poles. This is easy to verify: both pieces will be attracted by one side and repelled by the other. But why is this happening?

The fact is that a magnet, like any material, consists of the smallest molecules and atoms.But between them continuously flow electric currents of small charges. They create magnetic fields, forcing each particle to perform the functions of a full-fledged magnet. All molecules are oriented in a certain direction, which is why the south and north poles appear, which are the result of small fields.

And if you divide the magnet into two parts, the microcurrents will begin to flow in a different direction, which will provoke a reorientation of particles in space, and as a result, the appearance of new poles.

After the magnet is separated, due to the leaking microcurrents, the molecules are re-oriented in space and form new poles on each part. This is possible due to the fact that each particle has its own magnetic field.