A magnetic monopole is a hypothetical particle that has only one magnetic pole, either a north or a south pole, unlike common magnets that have both. In classical physics, magnetic fields are produced by dipoles, which have both north and south poles. The existence of magnetic monopoles would challenge our understanding of electromagnetism, as described by James Clerk Maxwell's equations. Despite extensive searches, no magnetic monopoles have been observed in nature. They are predicted by certain theories in particle physics and string theory, suggesting they could exist at high energy levels or in specific conditions. Their discovery would have significant implications for physics, potentially leading to new insights in quantum mechanics and field theory.