Magnetism and Matter

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Question
CBSEENPH12037703

Answer the following question regarding earth:
A vector needs three quantities for its specification. Name the three independent quantities conventionally used to specify the earth's magnetic field.

Solution

The three independent quantities conventionally used to specify the earth's magnetic field are : 

i) Magnetic declination
ii) Angle of dip and,
iii) Horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field.

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Question
CBSEENPH12037704

Answer the following question regarding earth:
The angle of dip at a location in southern India is about 18°. Would you expect a greater or smaller dip angle in Britain?

Solution

Since Britain is closer to the magnetic north pole, we can expect a greater angle of dip in Britain.
It's magnitude is about 70° in Britain.

Question
CBSEENPH12037705

Answer the following question regarding earth:
 If you made a map of magnetic field lines at Melbourne in Australia, would the lines seem to go into the ground or come out of the ground?

Solution

Melborne in Australia is situated at the southern hemisphere of the globe where, north pole of the earth's magnetic field lies.
Hence, magnetic field lines, due to the earth's magnetism would seem to come out of the ground.

Question
CBSEENPH12037706

Answer the following question regarding earth:
In which direction would a compass free to move in the vertical plane point to, if located right on the geomagnetic north or south pole?

Solution

A compass is free to move in a horizontal plane, while, the earth's field is exactly vertical at the magnetic poles. So the compass can point in any direction there.