a magnetic needle is suspended so as to move freely in a horizontal plane
a) in which direction north pole of the magnetic needle is pointing ?
b) give reason for it?
c) the case of magnetic compass is not made of soft iron why ?
Answers
Answer:
(a) Magnetic field lines:
Magnetic field is the space around a magnet wherein magnetic force can be felt.
The magnetic field lines of a bar magnet can be mapped using a magnetic compass. The compass can be moved from one pole of the bar magnet to another pole. We can trace the field lines by moving the compass gradually and drawing a corresponding line which the compass would trace while following a particular line of force.
In this activity, we will get a magnetic field pattern around the magnet. This also allows us to see the magnetic field lines leaving the north pole of the magnet and enter its south pole.
(b) A freely suspended magnet always points towards geographical north and geographical south directions because of the magnetism of the earth. It is assumed that a huge bar magnet is placed at the centre of the earth that causes a freely suspended magnet to align in the directions of north and south poles.
Explanation: