Join the Most Relevant JEE Main 2025 Test Series & get 99+ percentile! Join Now
Search any question & find its solution
Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
At a certain location in Africa, a compass points $12^{\circ}$ west of the geographic north. The north tip of the magnetic needle of a dip circle placed in the plane of magnetic meridian points $60^{\circ}$ above the horizontal. The horizontal component of the earth's field is measured to be 0.16 G. Specify the direction and magnitude of the earth's field at the location.
PhysicsMagnetic Properties of Matter
Solution:
2874 Upvotes Verified Answer
Given: Angle of dip $\delta=60^{\circ}$; Horizontal component of earth's magnetic field $\mathrm{H}=0.16 \mathrm{G}$
To find: Earth's magnetic field $=\mathrm{B}$
Formula used: $\mathrm{H}=\mathrm{B} \cos \delta$
$$
\begin{aligned}
&\mathrm{H}=\mathrm{B} \cos \delta \\
&\Rightarrow \mathrm{B}=\frac{\mathrm{H}}{\cos \delta}=\frac{0.16}{\cos 60^{\circ}}=\frac{0.16}{0.5}=0.32 \mathrm{G}
\end{aligned}
$$
The magnetic field of the earth lies $12^{\circ}$ West of the geographic meridian (of Africa) at an angle of $60^{\circ}$ (upwards) with respect to the horizontal.

Looking for more such questions to practice?

Download the MARKS App - The ultimate prep app for IIT JEE & NEET with chapter-wise PYQs, revision notes, formula sheets, custom tests & much more.