Consider the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Magnetism and Matter · Magnetism and Matter
Problem
Consider the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.
(i) Explain with reason why two magnetic field lines can never intersect each other at any point in space.
(ii) If, hypothetically, two field lines did intersect, what contradiction would arise regarding the direction of the magnetic field at the point of intersection?
(iii) How does this non-intersection property justify the use of a single compass needle to map the magnetic field around a magnet? State your reasoning clearly.