Question

What is the angle of dip when both vertical and horizontal components of the earth's magnetic field are equal?

• A. ${30}^0$
• B. ${45}^0$
• C. ${60}^0$
• D. ${90}^0$

Answer 1

The correct option is B ${45}^0$

The dip angle ‘x’ at a point is defined as the angle between the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field ‘B’ and the horizontal at that point on the surface of the Earth.

Therefore,

$B_h=$ horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field= Bcosx

$B_v=$ vertical component of earth’s magnetic field= Bsinx

$x=ta{n}^{-1}\frac{B_v}{B_h}$

If $B_v=B_h$ ,

then $x=ta{n}^{-1}\left(1\right)={45}^o$.

Therefore dip angle $={45}^o$