I have noticed that when particles of metal are captured by a magnetic field. They separate into clearly visible patterns of lines. Why don't the particles form a more even distributed pattern?
Do these gaps/lines exist in the magnetic field itself?
Can someone explain why this happens?
As illustrated by this images.
Answer
Each particle of iron in a magnetic field becomes a tiny magnet, following the field lines. A small dipole. This means it will attract at its two poles and be neutral in the middle. This is a way of making a line.
The pictures you show are made for the purpose of displaying the field lines . If the whole area were filled with iron dust the effect would be much less visible, though there would be a direction, a type of flow of the dust, due to the gradual orientation of the dipoles along the field lines . The field lines themselves fill the space continuously.
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