Earth As A Magnet


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Earth As A Magnet

We know that freely suspended magnetic needle always rests in north-south direction. It is due to the reason that the earth itself behaves like a huge bar magnet. The south pole of this bar magnet is near the geographic north pole and the north pole of this bar magnet is near the geographic south pole.

The north pole of a freely-suspended magnet points towards the geographic north pole because it is attracted by the magnetic south pole of the earth. Similarly, the south pole of a freely suspended magnet points towards geographic south pole because it is attracted by the magnetic north pole of the earth.

  • An instrument with a magnet that is used to find directions is called magnetic compass.  It has a small magnetic needle at its centre. This needle can rotate freely and always points in the Earth’s North-South direction. Different directions (north, south, east, and west) are marked on the compass.
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    Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    An instrument with a magnet that is used to find directions is called __________________________.

    Right Option : A
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    Question : 2

    Which of the following are correct :

    (a) An instrument with a magnet that is used to find directions is called magnetic compass. 

    (b) The North pole of a freely-suspended magnet points towards the geographic north pole because it is attracted by the magnetic south pole of the Earth.

    (c) A magnetic compass has a small magnetic needle at its centre which can rotate freely and always points in the Earth’s North-South direction.

    Right Option : D
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    Question : 3

    The freely suspended magnetic needle always rests in a____________direction.

    Right Option : A
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