Question

How are magnetic poles and electric charges similar?

Answer 1

Magnetic poles and electric charges are the most basic physical properties of matter due to which they experience a force due to electric and magnetic fields. There are two main types of charges; positive and negative and two main types of magnetic poles; north pole and south pole. The electric charges and poles have many similarities and differences.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The magnetic poles are the ends of a magnet. Poles are the region where the magnetic field is strongest. The magnetic poles are described by the magnetic moment. The north pole and south pole are the two poles. The product of the distance between the poles and their magnetic pole strength is called the magnetic dipole moment. It is a vector quantity.
$m=M(2l)$
Here, $m$ is the magnetic moment
$M$ is the magnetic field strength
$l$ is the distance of each pole from the center
The property of matter due to which it experiences a force in an electric field is called an electric charge. There are two types of charges; positive charge and negative charge. An electric dipole is very similar to a magnet as it contains both charges at the end and is described by the electric dipole moment. The electric dipole moment is the product of the magnitude of charges and the distance between the charges.
$p=qd$
Here, $p$ is an electric dipole moment
$q$ is the magnitude of the charge
$d$ is the distance between the charges
The similarities between electric charges and magnetic poles are-
Both electric charges and magnetic poles are of two types, the force acting between them is similar. Like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.
The lines of forces in magnetism and static electricity initiate from one pole or charge and end into the other. In magnetism, magnetic lines of forces start from the north pole and end into the south pole, while, in static electricity, electric lines of forces start from the positive charge and end into the negative charge.
The magnetic north pole moves in the direction of the magnetic field while the south pole moves opposite to the field. Similarly, the positive electric charge moves in the direction of the electric field while the negative charge moves opposite to the field.

Note: Magnetic poles cannot exist separately while electric poles can exist independently. The electric and magnetic forces are almost similar in magnitude. The magnetic poles and electric charges experience forces when kept in a field. Both the magnetic and electric fields are vector quantities.