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Using a plotting compass

 

You can use tiny compasses (plotting compasses) to plot out field lines of a magnet.

The arrow of the little compasses are arranged tip to tail and the flux (or field) line direction is then given by the arrow head direction (North to South)



Magnetic field lines or magnetic flux lines indicate the direction a compass would point when placed near a magnet. The pattern can be seen using iron filings but to find out the direction you have to use a plotting compass.





The closer the lines are drawn to each other (the more densely packed the line pattern) the stronger the field.

Always include an arrow on each line (N to S) or part of a line you draw.

Field lines never cross (special care is needed in diagrams!).

Field lines start at a North pole and end on a South pole or form a complete loop - they have no breaks or gaps - unless their path goes off your page of course....
 

Click here for an interactive demonstration of iron filings around a magnet andhere for the field lines when two or more magnets are used.