Question 6 of 8intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

A bar magnet has no markings to indicate its poles. How would you find out near which end its North pole is located without using another magnet?

Correct Answer

To find the North pole of an unmarked bar magnet without using another magnet, suspend the magnet freely with a thread tied around its middle.

Allow the magnet to rotate freely and come to rest on its own. When the magnet stops moving, observe which end points towards the geographic North direction.

The end of the magnet that points towards the North direction is the North-seeking pole or North pole of the magnet. The other end pointing towards the South is the South pole.

This method works because a freely suspended magnet always aligns itself along the north-south direction due to Earth's magnetic field.

Exercise: Let us enhance our learning | Q: 7 | (Page Page 15)
For More Understanding

Explanation

Activity 4.3 demonstrates this method: 'A freely suspended magnet comes to rest along the north-south direction. The end of the magnet that points towards north direction is called the North-seeking pole or the North pole of the magnet.' The chapter further explains that 'A freely suspended magnet rests along the north-south direction because our Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet.'

Solution Steps

  1. Suspend the magnet freely with a thread tied around its middle.

  2. Allow the magnet to rotate freely and come to rest on its own.

  3. Observe which end points towards the geographic North direction.

  4. The end pointing towards North is the North pole of the magnet.

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