Question

The diagram shows the result when a student placed a magnet under a piece of paper, then sprinkled iron shavings on the paper.



Why is the magnetic material distributed this way?

(4 points)
Responses

The magnets have magnetic fields that repel magnetic materials and push the shavings away.
The magnets have magnetic fields that repel magnetic materials and push the shavings away.

The magnets have multiple magnetic fields that attract the shavings with different strengths.
The magnets have multiple magnetic fields that attract the shavings with different strengths.

The magnets have uneven magnetic fields that attract the shavings in random patterns.
The magnets have uneven magnetic fields that attract the shavings in random patterns.

The magnets have magnetic fields that flow from one pole of the magnet to the other.
The magnets have magnetic fields that flow from one pole of the magnet to the other.
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Answer 1

The magnets produce a magnetic field that flows from one pole to the other. Iron filings become tiny induced magnets and align end-to-end along the field lines, forming visible lines of flux. The lines are denser (and the filings clump more) near the poles where the field is strongest, producing the pattern seen.