Question

A compass needle, which shows the direction at the earth’s magnetic pole is –
A) Vertical
B) No particular direction
C) Bent at $${45}^0$$ to the vertical
D) Horizontal

Answer 1

Hint: We need to understand the working mechanism of the magnets and the patterns or the properties displayed by them when in the presence of another magnet as here when a compass is kept in the earth’s magnetic field.

Complete answer:
We know that the compass essentially is a bar magnet kept in a case which is used to find the direction for navigation. A bar magnet consists of a north pole and a south pole irrespective of its dimensions or size. Earth has a magnetic field which is resembling the magnetic field arising from a bar magnet. As a result, earth too has a magnetic north pole and magnetic south pole.
Now, we can understand that any magnet kept on earth should therefore interact with the earth’s magnetic field. A bar magnet which is used in compass also does the same thing. The north pole of the compass magnet attracts to the south pole of the earth’s magnetic field and vice versa. This idea is used in finding the direction during navigation.
                   

Now, we can see from the figure that the magnetic field is arising from the north pole and ends in the south pole. So, when a compass is kept at the two poles of the earth’s magnetic field, then it should show the direction either in the upward or downwards direction. i.e., at the magnetic poles, the compass will deflect in the vertical direction.

The correct answer is option A.

Note:
Our common compasses are made to rotate only along the horizontal plane as we use them in the equatorial and tropical regions. When we take our compass to the magnetic poles they will point in any particular direction along the horizontal as the horizontal component turns out to be zero.