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This behavior underscores how the orientation of a magnet's poles significantly influences its movement and interaction with conducting materials. The experiment demonstrated that magnetic attraction and resistance are not uniform but depend on the precise alignment of the poles, leading to the notable "resistance" felt when trying to pull or move the magnet in certain directions.
Visualizing Magnetic Poles and Fields
To further explore the magnetic field structures, Paul and Vector3 employed heavy magnetic viewing paper, a specialized material that visually maps magnetic fields into sections. They used a large spherical magnet—dubbed “Big Daddy”—which has a complex, multi-pole structure around its circumference, with alternating north-south poles.