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Magnetism And Matter

Question
CBSEENPH12037827

If a compass is taken to magnetic north pole of earth, what will be the direction of the needle?

Solution
Earth’s magnetic field at the poles is exactly in the vertical direction with south pole of compass down side. A compass needle moves freely in a horizontal plane. Therefore, at the pole of the earth the compass needle will not necessarily rest along N-S direction. It may rest in any arbitrary direction in the horizontal plane.