I am unable to understand why a current carrying loop is considered a dipole. Why exactly is it called a "dipole", which two poles are we referring to and how do those two poles function as the north and south pole of a magnet?
[Physics] Why is a current carrying loop considered a dipole
electromagnetismmagnetic fieldsmagnetic-moment
Related Solutions
Earth's magnetic field isn't really a dipole, but a dynamic field due to the convection occurring in the planet's core (consists of molten iron). The model below shows a simulation of the magnetic field (blue is pointing towards the core while yellow points away), the cluster of curves in the middle is the planet's core.
The geomagnetic pole is the location of the pole if earth's magnetic field were a simple dipole (no convection-driven fields).
Note also that, in your image, the geomagnetic pole hasn't moved much in the last century while the magnetic pole has. This is because every several thousand years, the magnetic poles flip sides (a non-constant rate of reversal, so we can't really say a definitive time-frame).
The flux line direction at a point $P$ is defined (by convention) as the direction pointed by the N end of an infinitesimal "test compass" placed at $P$. There is no "magnetic goodness" emanating from N and sucked into S.
Best Answer
The current loop creates a magnetic field. This field looks just like that of a magnet, which has two poles (a dipole).