A magnet consists of a north and south pole. Something really interesting happens when a magnet snaps in half. Read here what is happening.
What happens to the poles when a magnet breaks?
When you break a magnet, you would almost think that you either destroyed it or could get 2 different magnets out of it.
Here we have a drawing of an axially magnetized magnet (ie a magnet with the magnetism on the faces - not on the sides). And the colors show how the poles are positioned.
Logically, one would therefore think that, as in the drawing above, a magnet could be divided into a north magnet and a south magnet.
But instead, what happens is that you get 2 new magnets. So 2 new magnets, each with its own north and south pole.
Why does a broken magnet turn into 2 new magnets?
To understand what is happening, one must understand that the electrons in magnets always face the same direction (a kind of "magnetic domains"). And that's why when you break a magnet, the electrons form 2 new magnets, where the broken parts of the magnet get a "new pole" in relation to the original magnet.
When a magnet breaks, it will still have oppositely directed poles at the ends. That is north on one surface and south on the other. And it will still be magnetic. But it will become weaker as the size changes and thereby also the magnetic field; i.e. a lower carrying capacity than if the magnet was intact.
Even if you break a small piece off of the magnet, you will still be left with a new small magnet that has a north pole and a south pole.
Make one magnet into two new magnets
The experiment of breaking a magnet in 2 to get 2 new magnets is the most fun when you break a magnet with axial magnetism - i.e. as we know magnets with the poles on the faces instead of the sides.
A broken axially magnetized magnet is what gives the division with the new poles.
If, on the other hand, you break one with diametral magnetism, then the poles will still face the same direction, and you will not change anything about the magnet, other than that you have 2 smaller magnets but with exactly the same poles as before.
An exception to the rule
This process of getting 2 new magnets only happens if the breakage is not too hard on the magnet. The magnetism will be affected if you e.g. saw, hammer or drill into the magnet: then the magnetic domains will no longer reinforce each other's magnetic field, and you may end up with a completely destroyed magnet instead, which is at best only slightly demagnetized.
