Question

A neutral points of a bar magnet kept with its neutral pole pointing towards geographic north located
(a) On neither side of the magnet in east and west
(b) On either side of the magnet in north
(c) On either side of the magnet in south and north
(d) Both b and c.

Answer 1

Hint: We will use the concept of magnetic field here by comparing it with Earth’s geographical field as well as Earth’s magnetic field. By clearing definitions related to neutral points will be helpful in leading to the right option.

Complete answer:
Magnetic field and Earth’s magnetic field: The area around a magnet is what we call a magnetic field. Our Earth also has a magnetic field with two sides or we can say ends of its magnet as poles. One is called the North Pole while the other is called the South Pole. Any magnet will automatically try to set in the same position as poles but the difference here will lie on its poles. North Pole Earth will attract the South Pole of magnet and the South Pole of Earth will attract the North Pole of earth’s magnet. The position taken by an ordinary magnet will not be that accurate to the one with Earth’s as there will be a slight difference in joining lines of two poles.
The magnetic field lines run from magnetic north pole of Earth to magnetic South Pole of Earth. This is why we will also trace the directions of field lines in this way only. The field lines around a magnet will be observed as generated in the outward direction from the North Pole side and coming towards the South Pole side.
Magnetic field and Earth’s geographic field: geographic field lines of Earth are different with that of magnetic field lines. If we take help of compass then we will find that the North Pole of magnet is actually attracting towards the north geographic pole of Earth and not towards the north magnetic pole of Earth. This applies to the South Pole as well. Geographical poles are different in positions of its pole when compared with the magnetic field of Earth. These are basically opposite to each other.
Neutral points of a magnet: We can easily find a neutral point of any magnet by finding a point at which resultant magnetic field is zero.
This can be clearly understood by the following diagram.

If we locate its neutral points at geographical poles then we get no magnetic fields on its sides. Therefore, neutral points of any bar magnet kept with its neutral pole pointing towards geographic north are located on either side of the magnet in east and west.

Hence, the correct option is (a).

Note:
It is important to note the following points to solve the question correctly.
(1) We know that neutral points are the points where the magnetic field is zero and these are produced when the magnet is kept as in the figure. So, if we keep as per question then no neutral points are going to be generated.
(2) There are two fields that we need to understand properly. The one is geographical fields’ sand the other is magnetic fields.
(3) The geographical fields have north and south poles opposite to that of magnetic fields.
(4) The north pole of a magnet in our hands gets attracted to the North Pole of geographical fields and South Pole of magnetic fields. This is the same for the South Pole as well.