If you have a small compass, you can use it to explore the magnetic field of magnets and currents. The compass needle will always point in the direction of the net magnetic field, wherever it is located.
a. Using the compass near a bar or horseshoe magnet, find out how far you must move the compass from the magnet before the field of the magnet is no longer noticeable and the compass needle simply points north.
b. Bringing the compass close to the magnet, determine the direction of the magnetic field at various points around the magnet. Make a sketch showing the direction of the field at selected points around the magnet.