Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have been searching and searching for an answer to this phenomena I have observed. I have two ceramic magnets that are behaving oddly. One of them seems to have completely lost one of the poles. I can stick one side to steel, but the other side will not attract at all. My second ceramic magnet has a significantly weaker second pole. One side is quite strong, but the other has at most 10% of the field strength. Neither magnet has any coatings what so ever, and on the one with the differing strengths, I sanded half of the weakened side to ensure that there was no chance of a invisible coating. The sanding made no difference whatsoever.

I am a college graduate in Mechanical Engineering, so I am well aware that what I am observing should not be possible. Yet it is happening. I am trying to find out through this site, either what is happening, or a way to contact someone who can tell me how this can appear to be. Such as, is it possible for a ceramic magnet to have one pole loop completely back in on itself to give the appearance of a mono-pole or what? I would greatly appreciate any insight, or being pointed in the right direction. I can provide video evidence upon request.

Forgive me if this is not the correct forum for this question, but all I have been able to find is theoretical info. If any one even knows of an expert I can ask, that would be enough.

Hi SEngineer,

This forum is for K-12 students doing school science fair projects, so unfortunately you aren't in the right place. Maybe you'd have better luck somewhere like https://physics.stackexchange.com/?

-Ben