Magnetic repulsion. The iron filings sprinkled between these two bar magnets reveal the shape of the repulsive magnetic field between them. The filings show the repulsion as field lines arcing away from the other magnet. Bar magnets have a north and a south pole. Unlike poles attract each other, whereas like poles repel each other. These magnets are arranged in the same orientation. The lines do not actually exist, as the magnetic field is continuous, but attractions between the filings make them arrange themselves into thin arcs.