Question

What will happen to the position of the needle of the magnetic compass if you bring a bar magnet of known poles near it? Also state the effect when the other end of the bar magnet is brought near it.

• A. The needle will move in random directions.
• B. The needle will align itself according to the poles of the magnet.
• C. The two ends of the needle will get attracted towards two opposite poles of the magnet.
• D. The needle will keep pointing towards Earth's geographical North.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The two ends of the needle will get attracted towards two opposite poles of the magnet.

If we bring a bar magnet near a magnetic compass, its needle will get deflected. When we bring North pole of a bar magnet near the magnetic compass, its needle will be deflected away from the magnet as shown in the first figure.

However, when we bring South pole of bar magnet near the magnetic compass, the needle will be deflected towards the magnet as shown in the second figure.