Re: magnetic poles

[Mark Sylvester <msylvest@spin.it>]

> Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 16:04:50 -0500
> From: Chuck Britton <britton@odie.ncssm.edu>
> To: phys-l@atlantis.uwf.edu
......
> Yes, it's unfortunate that the magnetic terms North and South were related
> to the Geographic directions, but what is done, is done. We SHOULDN'T
> downplay the magnetic meanings of North and South by uaeing outmoded terms
> north-seeking or north-pointing for magnets.

What's done is done, but apparently still confuses. I thinking the outmoded
terms may help to clarify.

If, as you suggest, we needn't really bother too much about the poles of a
magnet (and indeed they don't feature much once we start talking about
fields) (What do people think about that, btw, - I recall somebody way back
on phys-l regretting that we did not use the concept of magnetic charge) 

then all that's left is the arrow on the field vector, and that's the way
the compass *points*.

Mark.

Mark Sylvester
United World College of the Adriatic
34013 Duino TS
Italy.
msylvest@spin.it
tel: +39 49 3739 255