Magnetism Facts

Magnetism Facts


  • The direction of a magnetic field is defined by the direction a compass needle points.
  • Magnetic fields point from the north to the south outside the magnet and south to north inside the magnet.
  • Magnetic flux is measured in webers.
  • Left hands are for negative charges and right hands are for positive charges.
  • The first hand rule deals with the B-field around a current bearing wire, the third hand rule looks at the force on charges moving in a B-field, and the second hand rule is redundant.
  • Solenoids are stronger with more current or more wire turns or adding a soft iron core.