What are Magnetic Field Lines?

Magnetic field lines are imaginary lines around the magnet, and they are continuous closed loops. The tangent to the field line at any given point indicates the direction of the total magnetic field at that instant.

Also Read: Magnetic Field

Since the magnet is dipolar, the magnetic lines must be originated and also have an end. Therefore, it starts from the north pole and terminates at the south pole outside the bar magnet, and it moves from the south pole to the north pole inside the magnet.

The closeness of field lines shows the relative strength of the magnetic field, i.e. closer lines show a stronger magnetic field and vice—versa. Crowded field lines near the poles of the magnet show more strength.

Some important properties of magnetic field lines are:

• Magnetic field boundaries are never crossed.
• The depth of the field lines shows the field’s power.
• Magnetic field lines are often closed loops.
• Magnetic field lines often originate from or begin at the north pole and end at the South Pole.

Magnetic field is considered a region where the force of magnetism is present. This magnetic force is generally created by a moving charge or magnetic substance. H. C. Oersted made the discovery that a current-carrying conductor creates a magnetic influence all around it in the early years of the 19th century. Although science and technology were not as advanced as they are now, it was already known from observations that the effect of lightning striking a ship may result in the compass needles malfunctioning, which would interfere with the navigation system. Let’s learn more about the magnetic field due to the current-carrying conductor in this article!