Magnetism and Magnetic Fields

Abstract

The study of magnetism and magnetic fields readily follows the study of electricity and is normally a second-semester topic in a firstyear physics course. One of the difficulties that a teacher may encounter is that students often confuse magnetic poles with electric charges. Be sure that students refer to north and south poles rather than “positive” and “negative” poles to avoid confusion with electrical principles. Students may be unaware that the magnetic pole at or near Earth’s geographic North Pole is actually a magnetic South Pole. Some textbooks explain the “north-seeking” nature of Earth’s “North” Pole.