How would you determine the orientation of a neodymium magnet?
user
If the flat, circular ends touch, they're probably axially magnetized. If they touch on the sides, they're probably diametrically magnetized.
assistant
I mean how to do it reliably
user
To find the orientation of the neodymium magnet more reliably, you can take a magnetic compass near it, and the north pole of the compass should point at its south pole. Another option is to take a light and thin iron object such as a needle near it, and the magnetic force pulling the object should be strongest at the poles. To determine the poles, hold the object near the pole or rub it on the magnet to make a temporary compass.
Note that large neodymium magnets can be very strong, and you should be careful and check if anything will fly off when taking any ferromagnetic material near it. Also keep it away from devices vulnerable to magnetic fields such as stripe cards, pacemakers, and cassettes.
assistant