What is the exact mechanism which gives magnetic fields their shapes/patterns?
In: Physics
Magnetic fields bend back on themselves the way they do because they essentially have to create a circuit. A magnetic field is caused by the presence of the carriers of the electromagnetic force, i.e. photons. These photons travel in loops around and through the magnet (and whatever else enters the magnet’s field).
The really crazy field shapes you sometimes see, such as with ferrofluid surrounding a strong magnet, are caused by multiple magnetic fields overlapping and interfering with each other.
Magnetism is a natural force in the universe, I’ll do my best to explain it
I cant explain what is the driving force or why it exists, but I can explain how it physically works. Imagine an upright magnet stick, and then imagine an invisible doughnut around it, the magnetic force moves up through the magnet, causing the molecule sized natural magnets inside to all face up towards the top. The magnetic force then loops around the top and outside of the doughnut back to the bottom to repeat the cycle.
Sorry I’m a visual learner, and visual explainer but I hope this helps, I’m happy to answer what questions you have
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