Question

A rod, when suspended in a magnetic field, stays in the east-west direction. Can we be sure that the field is in the east-west direction? Can it be in the north-south direction?

Answer 1

No, the direction of the field is fully depends on the nature of the rod.

Explanation:

It is not sure that the magnetic field is in the east-west direction, actually, it depends upon the material of rod whether it is paramagnetic, ferromagnetic or diamagnetic.

Magnetic field repels diamagnetic substances and therefore if the rod is diamagnetic then it becomes perpendicular to the applied field. Hence, in this case, the applied field is in a north-south direction.

In case of rods such as para or ferromagnetic, the rod becomes parallel to that applied field as paramagnetic and ferromagnetic substances get attracted to the magnetic field. Hence, in this case, the magnetic field is in an east-west direction .

Answer 2

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