Which statement about poles is true?

• A. Like poles attract.
• B. Like poles repel.
• C. Opposite poles repel.
• D. Like poles repel; opposite poles attract.

Answer: (D)

Poles interact through attraction and repulsion: like poles repel and opposite poles attract. This is because magnetic field lines run from the north pole to the south pole, so when two poles face each other, like poles produce opposing fields and push apart, while opposite poles reinforce each other and pull together. The complete and correct statement describes both parts of the interaction: like poles repel; opposite poles attract. Saying only that like poles repel is incomplete, and saying opposite poles repel or like poles attract contradicts how magnets actually behave.