Question

When one end of a magnet is placed near a compass, the pointer (N-pole) of the compass turns and points at the magnet because:
A. The pointer points at any end of a magnet
B. The end near the compass is a N-pole
C. The end near the compass is a S-pole
D. A magnet always attracts the pointer of a compass

Answer 1

Hint: The pointer of the compass acts as a magnet. It always points towards the north-seeking pole i.e. the North pole. As we know, poles of two different magnets repel each other and the unlike poles attract each other. So, there is a force of attraction or repulsion between the pointer and one end of a magnet. These basics can be used to find the why the pointer of the compass turns and points toward the magnet.

Complete answer:
The pointer or needle of a compass is a magnet. We know, unlike poles of any two different magnets attract each other while the like poles of these two magnets repel each other, So, when another magnet is placed near the pointer of the compass it turns and points at the opposite pole of the magnet. Now, as we know, the pointer is the north pole of the compass, it gets attracted towards the opposite pole of the magnet which is the south pole.
Hence, when one end of a magnet is placed near a compass, the pointer (N-pole) of the compass turns and points at the magnet.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note:
Students should know that the like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other due to the magnetic flux lines. The magnetic flux always starts from the north pole and ends at the south pole. Because of which two like poles cannot attract each other. Students must remember that the north pole of a magnet points toward the geographical north pole and the south pole of the magnet points toward the geographical south pole.