Question

why does a freely suspended magnet point in a north south direction

Answer 1

This suggests that the Earth itself behaves as a magnet which causes afreely suspended magnet (or magneticneedle) to point always in a particulardirection: North and South. ... TheSouth Pole of the Earth's magnet is in the geographical North because it attracts the North Pole of thesuspended magnet and vice versa.


hope this helps.

Answer 2

It is due to the influence of the earth magnet. The direction of the earth magnet is in the North-south direction of the earth. The North pole of the earth magnet is near the geographical south pole and south pole is near the geographical north pole. Therefore North of suspended magnet align above the south pole of the earth magnet and vice versa.