Earth's magnetic field always has a horizontal component except at
- equator
- magnetic poles
- a latitude of $60^{\circ}$
- an altitude of $60^{\circ}$
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The question pertains to the Earth's magnetic field and when it lacks a horizontal component. Understanding this requires a basic comprehension of the Earth's magnetic field structure.
The Earth's magnetic field can be represented by field lines emanating from the magnetic south pole and entering the magnetic north pole. The magnetic field at any given point on Earth can be decomposed into two components:
- Horizontal component
- Vertical component
At most locations on Earth, both components exist. However, at specific locations, one of these components dominates or completely exists without the other.
Let's examine each option:
- Equator: At the magnetic equator, the magnetic field lines are parallel to the surface, meaning there is no vertical component of the magnetic field, only a horizontal component is present.
- Magnetic poles: At the magnetic poles, the magnetic field lines are vertical. Here, the horizontal component becomes zero, and only the vertical component is present.
- A latitude of $60^{\circ}$ and an altitude of $60^{\circ}$: These do not affect the exclusion of the horizontal component. These locations will have both components unless influenced by being a magnetic pole.
Therefore, the correct answer is magnetic poles, as that is the location where the Earth's magnetic field does not have a horizontal component.
Top Questions on Magnetism and matter
- An inductor stores \(16\,\text{J}\) of magnetic field energy and dissipates \(32\,\text{W}\) of thermal energy due to its resistance when an alternating current of \(2\,\text{A}\) (rms) and frequency \(50\,\text{Hz}\) flows through it. The ratio of inductive reactance to resistance is _______. \((\pi=3.14)\) Given: \[ U=16\,\text{J},\quad P=32\,\text{W},\quad I=2\,\text{A},\quad f=50\,\text{Hz} \]
- JEE Main - 2026
- Physics
- Magnetism and matter
- A long cylindrical conductor with large cross section carries an electric current distributed uniformly over its cross-section. Magnetic field due to this current is:
[A.] maximum at either end of the conductor
[B.] maximum at the axis of the conductor and minimum at the midpoint
[C.] minimum at the surface of the conductor
[D.] minimum at the axis of the conductor
[E.] same at all points in the cross-section of the conductor
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- JEE Main - 2026
- Physics
- Magnetism and matter
- A plane electromagnetic wave is moving in free space with velocity \[ c=3\times10^{8}\ \text{m/s} \] and its electric field is given as \[ \vec E = 54\sin(kz-\omega t)\,\hat{j}\ \text{V/m}, \] where \(\hat{j}\) is the unit vector along the \(y\)-axis. The magnetic field \(\vec B\) of the wave is:
- JEE Main - 2026
- Physics
- Magnetism and matter
A current-carrying coil is placed in an external uniform magnetic field. The coil is free to turn in the magnetic field. What is the net force acting on the coil? Obtain the orientation of the coil in stable equilibrium. Show that in this orientation the flux of the total field (field produced by the loop + external field) through the coil is maximum.
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- Physics
- Magnetism and matter
- When an external magnetic field of strength \(1.5 \times 10^{-3}\) A/m is applied to a rock sample, the measured intensity of magnetization is \(0.5 \times 10^{-3}\) A/m. The magnetic susceptibility of this rock is ________ (Round off to two decimal places).
- GATE GG - 2025
- Geology and Geophysics
- Magnetism and matter
Questions Asked in KCET exam
Match the following:
In the following, \( [x] \) denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to \( x \).
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:- KCET - 2025
- Differentiability
- If \[ y = \frac{\cos x}{1 + \sin x} \] then:
- KCET - 2025
- Differentiability
- A function \( f(x) \) is given by:
\[ f(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{1}{e^x - 1}, & \text{if } x \neq 0 \\ \frac{1}{e^x + 1}, & \text{if } x = 0 \end{cases} \] Then, which of the following is true?- KCET - 2025
- Limits
- The function f(x) is given by:
For x < 0:
f(x) = ex + axFor x ≥ 0:
f(x) = b(x - 1)2
The function is differentiable at x = 0. Then,- KCET - 2025
- Differentiability
- The function \( f(x) = \tan x - x \)
- KCET - 2025
- Derivatives
Concepts Used:
Magnetism & Matter
Magnets are used in many devices like electric bells, telephones, radio, loudspeakers, motors, fans, screwdrivers, lifting heavy iron loads, super-fast trains, especially in foreign countries, refrigerators, etc.
Magnetite is the world’s first magnet. This is also called a natural magnet. Though magnets occur naturally, we can also impart magnetic properties to a substance. It would be an artificial magnet in that case.
Read More: Magnetism and Matter
Some of the properties of the magnetic field lines are:
- The lines and continuous and outside the magnet, the field lines originate from the North pole and terminate at the South pole
- They form closed loops traversing inside the magnet.
- But here the lines seem to originate from the South pole and terminate at the North pole to form closed loops.
- More number of close lines indicate a stronger magnetic field
- The lines do not intersect each other
- The tangent drawn at the field line gives the direction of the field at that point.