Question

Two bar magnets (Magnet-X and Magnet-Y) are shown below. The pole of magnet X labeled ‘2’ repels the pole of magnet Y labeled ‘3’. Find the poles ‘1’ and ‘3’ of magnet X and magnet Y respectively.

• A. 1 - North, 3 - South
• B. 1 - South, 3 - South
• C. 1 - North, 3 - North
• D. 1 - South, 3 - North
  

Answer 1

The correct option is A 1 - North, 3 - South

Since the rightmost end of the magnet Y is marked as the north pole, the end ‘3’ will be the south pole. This is because every magnet consists of two poles, namely the north and the south pole.

It is given that two bar magnets repel each other. We know that like poles repel each other. This means that poles ‘2’ and ‘3’ are the same. So the ‘2’ must be the south pole and end ‘1’ will surely be the north pole.

Hence, poles ‘1’ and ‘3’ are the north pole and south pole respectively.