Definition

Noun: 1. The south-seeking pole of a magnet: The end of a freely suspended magnet that points toward the geographic south (or the Earth's magnetic north). It is the pole from which magnetic field lines are considered to enter the magnet. 2. The negative terminal of a battery or electrical cell: The terminal from which electrons flow into an external circuit. It is connected to the negative plate inside the battery.

Usage Examples

• Magnetic Context:
  • When a bar magnet is suspended by a string, the negative pole will align itself to point south.
  • In the diagram, the magnetic field lines converge at the negative pole.
• Electrical Context:
  • Connect the black wire to the negative pole of the battery.
  • A voltage is measured as the potential difference between the positive and negative pole.

Advanced Usage

• In electrochemistry: The negative pole (cathode in a galvanic cell) is where reduction occurs, attracting positively charged ions (cations).
• In circuit analysis: The negative pole is often used as the reference point (ground or 0V) for measuring voltage in a circuit.

Variants and Related Words

• South pole (of a magnet): A common synonym in magnetism.
• Cathode: The technical term for the negative pole in an electrochemical cell that is discharging.
• Negative terminal: A more general term, especially in electronics and wiring.

Synonyms

• For a magnet: South-seeking pole.
• For a battery: Negative terminal, cathode (in a discharging cell).

Antonyms

• Positive pole: The north-seeking pole of a magnet or the positive terminal of a battery.

Noun

1. the pole of a magnet that points toward the south when the magnet is suspended freely
2. the terminal of a battery that is connected to the negative plate