Definition of the word magnetic pole

The term "magnetic pole" comes from the discovery that certain substances, such as iron, possess a peculiar property known as magnetism. These substances have the ability to attract other magnetic materials, such as steel, without any physical contact. In the late 19th century, scientists observed that the Earth's magnetic field, owing to its pressure and composition, had a north and south magnetic pole, just like a bar magnet. These magnetic poles are not physical points on the Earth's surface but rather regions with strong magnetic fields. The Earth's magnetic pole is not fixed, and it moves around over time. In fact, in 2018, the World Magnetic Model, which is used to track the Earth's magnetic field, was updated to account for the shifting positions of the magnetic poles. Despite the movement, they maintain coordinates which are still labeled as north and south magnetic poles. As the name suggests, the magnetic poles play a crucial role in the functioning of magnets, as they exert magnetic forces on them, and also on other magnetic materials near them. Their identification and study continue to give us insights into the nature of the Earth's magnetic field, the mechanics of magnetism, and how these properties shape the modern world that we inhabit today.