Magnetic Files?

Move a GOOD magnetic compass vertically from the top to the bottom of a metal filing cabinet that has been sitting in the same place for a long time. What do you note? The top is a south pole of a magnet and the bottom is a north pole! Why? A metal filing cabinet will generally sit in the same spot for a long time. It is made of steel, which is ferromagnetic. It is sitting in the earth's magnetic field. Following me? In the USA, the magnetic lines of force have a basic downward component. Thus, from an induced magnet, the bottom is the North end and the top is the South end of a magnet. NOTE: It's gotta be a GOOD compass. A poor compass will show some change, but not enough to actually tell which pole is which.


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