What is a magnetic field?
Quick Answer
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet or moving electric charges where magnetic forces act. It is closely linked to electricity and is part of the electromagnetic force.
The Full Story
A magnetic field is produced by magnets, electric currents, and changing electric fields. It is described by a vector field and is measured in teslas. On Earth, the planet’s magnetic field is generated by movement of molten iron in the outer core, a process called the geodynamo. Magnetic fields guide compasses, help form auroras, and are essential for technologies such as MRI scanners and electric motors. In physics, magnetism and electricity are two aspects of the same underlying interaction.
Key Facts
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"Why a compass points north"
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