Question

The answer to which of the following options will distinguish between a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material?

• A. Is it a metal of a non metal?
• B. Is it a conductor or an insulator?
• C. Can it be given an electric charge?
• D. Does it affect the direction in which a compass needle points?

Answer 1

The correct option is D Does it affect the direction in which a compass needle points?

A magnetic compass points north because all magnets have two poles, a north pole and a south pole, and the north pole of one magnet is attracted to the south pole of another magnet.
When this magnetic compass is brought near a magnetic substance, there is change in the direction of the needle based on the polarity of the magnetic substance closer to it. Whereas for a non magnetic substance it is not so.
Hence, the direction in which a compass needle points will distinguish between a magnetic material and a non-magnetic material.