Question

A horizontal magnet hanging freely in air always comes to rest in

• A. Any direction
• B. East-West direction
• C. North-South direction
• D. None of these

Hint:

Remember that the Earth's geographic North Pole is actually its magnetic South Pole, and vice versa. This is a common point of confusion. A magnet's North pole points towards the geographic North.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A freely suspended magnet always aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field. The Earth behaves like a giant bar magnet with its magnetic poles located near its geographic poles.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
When a magnet is suspended freely, its north pole is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole (which is near the geographic North Pole), and its south pole is attracted to the Earth's magnetic north pole (which is near the geographic South Pole).
This causes the magnet to align itself in the geographic North-South direction. This principle is the basis for how a magnetic compass works.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, a horizontal magnet hanging freely in the air always comes to rest in the North-South direction.