Magnetic Dipole Object (non-source): Place a magnetic dipole on a Rod by clicking in the vicinity of, but not on, the target rod. You may place up to four magnetic dipoles. Although you can place multiple dipoles (electric and magnetic) on one rod, there are few reasons to do so.

In the dipole's Properties Box, you can make it a temporary dipole or a permanent dipole. You can also have the element act as both a magnetic and an electric dipole (always a conductor). The representation of the dipole depends on these choices (see pictures below). You can also show (default) or not show the Microscopic View of the dipole.

The purpose of the dot at one end of the dipole is simply to distinguish it from the other end. On permanent dipoles, the dipole end with the dot is always the south (and negative) pole.

The dot in the middle is simply the rod to which the dipole is attached. The dipole rotates freely on the rod. It responds to sources (the magnet, and the electric dipole source and point source) when they are present, and rotates randomly when no sources are present.

These magnetic dipole elements are sometimes called victims.