Final answer:
The source of all magnetism is the movement of electric charges, specifically electrons. It is the electrical current from these moving charges that creates magnetic fields, which are characterized by the inseparable nature of north and south magnetic poles. The correct answer is option 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The source of all magnetism is the movement of electric charges, primarily the electrons within atoms. Magnets are created by the electrical current generated when electrons move through conductive materials. In nature, we observe the effects of magnetism through the interaction of these moving charges, which create magnetic fields. Notably, magnetic poles always exist as north and south pairs, and efforts to find isolated magnetic monopoles have thus far been unsuccessful.
Within an atom, moving electrons create a small magnetic field, contributing to the overall magnetic properties of the material. For instance, in metals, outer electrons are more easily displaced and can form a current. These moving electric charges are fundamental to the generation of magnetic fields.
Charged particles, such as protons or electrons moving in magnetic fields, experience a magnetic force that can cause them to move in circular or spiral paths. This behavior can be observed in devices like giant accelerators or in natural phenomena such as cosmic rays being deflected by Earth's magnetic field.