Question

Let the magnetic field on the earth be modelled by that of a point magnetic dipole at the centre of the earth. The angle of dip at a point the geographical equator

• A. is always zero
• B. can be zero at specific points
• C. can be positive or negative
• D. is bounded

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

can be zero at specific points
can be positive or negative
is bounded

Magnetic equator crosses geographical equator and at those points angle of dip will be zero.
Geographical equator lying in magnetic north of the the magnetic equator will have $B_V$ vertically upwards, therefore, angle of dip will be negative while Geographical equator lying in magnetic south of the the magnetic equator will have $B_V$ vertically downwards, therefore, angle of dip will be positive. and maximum and minimum values of $B_V$ will be at the points which are at maximum north and maximum south of the magnetic equator. therefore angle of dip is also bounded therefore, option(B),(C),(D)