Which of the following statements about a bar magnet is correct?

The correct answer is Option (4) → We cannot separate the north pole and the south pole of a bar magnet.

Option (1) A north pole attracts a north pole. — Incorrect. Like poles repel. Two north poles brought close together push each other apart.

Option (2) A south pole attracts a south pole. — Incorrect. Two south poles are also like poles, so they repel. Attraction is only between a north pole and a south pole.

Option (3) We can separate the north pole and the south pole of a bar magnet. — Incorrect. Cutting a bar magnet, across or along its length, does not give a lone pole. Each piece is a complete magnet with its own north and south pole.

Option (4) We cannot separate the north pole and the south pole of a bar magnet. — Correct. A bar magnet broken into two halves gives two similar bar magnets, each with a north and a south pole. This is because isolated magnetic poles (monopoles) do not exist.

NCERT (2026-27):
Introduction – “(iv) We cannot isolate the north, or south pole of a magnet. If a bar magnet is broken into two halves, we get two similar bar magnets with somewhat weaker properties. Unlike electric charges, isolated magnetic north and south poles known as magnetic monopoles do not exist.”