Magnet and Compass

Magnets have numerous practical applications, from a simple compass to advanced components that you can find in your PC, mobile phone and various other peripherals. However, not everyone has taken the time to read up on how they work and see what their magnetic fields look like.

Magnet and Compass is a relatively simple program that attempts to help users visualize the magnetic field generated by a magnet and even the Earth. It is a useful tool for teachers who are trying to explain the basics of magnetism.

Once you’ve launched the program you will be presented with a simple bar magnet that can be moved around freely. As you do so, you will notice that the magnetic field it generates reacts to these movements.

You can also see the polarity of the magnet by inspecting it from the inside, as well as increase or decrease its strength or flip its polarity.

After playing around with the bar magnet, you can have the application show the Earth and its magnetic field. A bar magnet is shown within the globe to indicate the orientation of its magnetic field, and you can see how it surrounds the planet.

The program also allows you to use a virtual compass to get an idea of how the dial aligns when it gets close to a strong magnetic field. It is possible to measure the strength of the field in a certain region.

Overall, Magnet and Compass is a helpful piece of software for physics teachers who are trying to explain the basics of magnetism to their students. It is a simple simulation that lacks advanced features but is suitable for a younger crowd.