Question

Even though earth is a giant magnet, all the iron does not stick to it at north and south pole because

• A. Iron is embedded in between rocks
• B. Very less iron is present near the magnetic poles of earth
• C. Force of earth's magnetism is weak
• D. Much iron is scattered away from the poles

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Force of earth's magnetism is weak

The Earth has a magnetic field which is produced deep in the interior by electrical currents in the molten part of the core.At the surface of the Earth and beyond the magnetic field is weak.It is just strong enough to rotate a small magnet, called a compass needle, balanced with little friction on a pointed support.

The Earth itself is not a magnet.The magnetic field produced in the core is much more complex in form that what would be expected for a simple magnet such as a bar magnet.The illustration of the Earth as if there is a bar magnet inside are misleading.