Magnetic polarity refers to the two ends of a magnet, known as the north and south poles. Every magnet has these two distinct poles, which exhibit different behaviors when placed near other magnets or magnetic materials.
In essence, opposite poles attract each other (the north pole of one magnet will attract the south pole of another), while like poles repel each other (north to north or south to south). This fundamental principle is crucial in understanding how magnets interact within various applications, from simple refrigerator magnets to complex electrical devices.
The Earth’s magnetic field also has polarity, with its magnetic north pole located near the geographic South Pole and its magnetic south pole near the geographic North Pole. This natural phenomenon plays a vital role in navigation and compasses, as they align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field.