Question

What is the angle of dip at the equator?
\[\begin{gathered}
  {\text{A}}{\text{. }}{0^0} \\
  {\text{B}}{\text{. 4}}{{\text{5}}^0} \\
  {\text{C}}{\text{. 6}}{0^0} \\
  {\text{D}}{\text{. 9}}{0^0} \\
\end{gathered} \]

Answer 1

Hint:- Here, we will proceed by defining the Earth’s magnetic field. We will also define the magnetic dip or dip angle. Finally, we will mention the dip range and the angle of dip at the equator and at the pole.

Step By Step Answer:
The Earth functions like a big spherical magnet. It is surrounded by a shifting magnetic field with time and location. The field is created by a dipole magnet located in the centre of the Earth (i.e., a straight magnet with a north and south pole). The dipole axis is offset by about 11 degrees from the Earth's axis of rotation. It indicates that the geographic north and south poles and the magnetic north and south poles are not in the same place. Earth's magnetic field is characterized by a direction and strength that can be measured at any point and at any time.

Magnetic dip, dip angle, or magnetic inclination is the angle the Earth's magnetic field lines make with the horizontal. This angle varies over the surface of the Earth at various points. Positive inclination values mean that the Earth's magnetic field is pointed down into the Earth at the measuring point and negative values suggest that it is pointed upward. By definition, the dip angle is the angle made by the needle of a vertically held compass, but ordinary compass needles may be weighed against dip by practice, or may not be able to move freely in the correct plane. Using a special instrument usually known as a dip-circle, the value can be measured more accurately.

Additional Information:
The magnetic equator is where the inclination or dip (I) is zero. The magnetic field lacks a vertical (Z) component. When you travel away from the magnetic equator, I and Z are getting higher. Here, I represent the inclination of the dip and Z denotes the vertical component of the magnetic field.
Magnetic dip results from a magnet 's tendency to align itself with magnetic field lines. Because the Earth's magnetic field lines are not parallel to the surface, a compass needle's north end will point down into the northern hemisphere (positive dip) or upward into the southern hemisphere (negative dip). The dip range is between -90 degrees (at the north magnetic pole) and +90 degrees (at the south magnetic pole).
The angle the lines of force make with the surface of the Earth at any given position is called the Angle of Dip which ranges from 0 degrees at the magnetic equator to almost 90 degrees at the magnetic poles.
Therefore, the angle of dip at the equator is \[{0^0}\].

Hence, option A is correct.

Note- The magnetic equator isn't fixed, but shifts gradually. The north of the magnetic equator and the north end of the dip needle dips below the horizontal which makes I and Z being positive. The south of the magnetic equator and the south end of the dip needle dips below the horizontal which makes I and Z being negative.