This is awesome. I wish I paid more attention in Chemistry and Physics class so I could understand the science a little better, but I do agree it is odd to have a polar magnetic shift in a sold object. Is the rod truly a solid piece of the same metal? Sometimes rods have a different metal in the center, but not sure if that would effect it.
Anyway, your project sounds awesome. I believe that someday, we will be able to produce truly clean energy using scientific discoveries and I love the people who continue experimenting and trying to improve our way of life.
It's a solid chunk of steel
Interesting. It looks like there are quite a few theories out there about polar magnets. https://books.google.com/books?id=cbVJAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=polar+magnetization+in+a+steel+pole&source=bl&ots=pfLh-_WBPA&sig=SiWVblxrxCrcS__ivuKAIdzB-Io&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE2qrX0v3YAhVX1IMKHbfrBXUQ6AEILDAA#v=onepage&q=polar%20magnetization%20in%20a%20steel%20pole&f=false