Question

1. What is the rule of attraction with magnets? A:
2. When two powerful, attracting magnets are held apart and then released, what happens to their stored energy? A:
3. What happens when two repelling magnets are held apart? A:
4. Give an example of how the energy stored in a magnetic field can be used in the real world. A:

Answer 1

1. A: Opposite poles attract and like poles repel — north attracts south; north–north and south–south repel. Magnetic field lines run from north to south and dipoles tend to align so opposite poles face each other (lowest energy).

2. A: While held apart the pair has magnetic potential energy. On release that potential energy converts to kinetic energy as they accelerate together; when they hit/stick the energy is dissipated as heat, sound and/or deformation and the field reconfigures.

3. A: If repelling magnets are held apart against their tendency to push away, you have stored magnetic potential energy (you did work to hold them). On release that energy converts to kinetic energy as they fly apart; if they are free to move they will accelerate apart immediately. If they remain constrained, the energy remains stored.

4. A: Practical example — inductors and motors. An inductor stores energy in its magnetic field (E = 1/2 L I^2) and releases it in power supplies and switching converters; electric motors use magnetic fields to exchange energy between electrical and mechanical forms (torque/rotation). Other examples: maglev levitation, magnetic brakes, relays/solenoids.