Question

A magnetic compass is placed a significant distance from a bar magnet. The compass experiences no deflection even though a magnet is kept around it. What could the reason be?

• A. The compass is malfunctional
• B. Magnetic field lines have a single direction
• C. Magnetic field of the magnet doesn’t influence the point
• D. The needle is fixed too tight

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Magnetic field of the magnet doesn’t influence the point

The magnetic field lines around the magnet originate from the north pole and go to the south pole forming a loop, which gets closed as the field lines inside the magnet go from the south pole to the north pole. However, when the point is significantly far from the magnet, the field doesn’t have any influence at that point.