In a world where there exists a magical mirror that inverts not just the reflection but also the physical properties of those reflecting in it, Sunita stands in front of it holding a magnet with its north pole facing the mirror. Behind Sunita, at some distance, stands Chidi, holding a compass. Both are facing the mirror. What happens to the compass needle when Sunita's reflection in the magical mirror appears in her field of vision?
Provide a brief response.
When Sunita looks into the magical mirror with the north pole of her magnet facing it, her image will have a magnet with a south pole facing towards her (as the mirror inverts physical properties, including magnetic polarity). The compass Chidi is holding will react to the magnetic fields being presented. Since magnets attract their opposite poles and the compass needle points towards the north magnetic field, the north-seeking needle of the compass would ordinarily point towards the north pole of Sunita's magnet if it were affected by the magnet's field. However, since Chidi is standing behind Sunita and the compass is only registering the actual physical magnet and not the reflection, the compass needle will not be influenced by the inversion property of the magical mirror. It will react to the actual magnetic field present and point towards the north pole of the real magnet that Sunita is holding, irrespective of the mirror's magical properties, which only affect the visual and not the physical environment behind the mirror. Thus, the compass needle will point in the direction of the north pole of Sunita's actual magnet.