Question

What is the reason to pivot the compass needle on a sharp pin?
a. To minimize the magnetic effect on the pin
b. To maximize the magnetic effect on the pin
c. To minimize the friction between the pin and the compass needle
d. To ensure that the compass needle will not drop from the pivoted point.

Answer 1

Hint: Compass is used for the purpose of detecting the Earth’s natural magnetic fields. From this aim we can say that the end of the compass that will face the north will be attracted by the south pole which is magnetic. The position will always be closer to that of the position of the geographic north pole. Similarly, we can say that the north and south poles in the geographic position will always point towards the direction of the earth’s rotational axis that will have the intercept on the earth’s surface.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that when the compass needle is pivoted on a fixed platform that is a pin, there is the development of friction between the needle and that of the fixed pin. But the friction is reduced to be specific. Due to the fact that the friction is less the compass needle will get the independence to rotate without obstruction to that of the magnetic field in that region.

So, the correct answer can say to be that in order to minimize the friction between the pin and the compass needle, the compass needle is pivoted on a sharp pin.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: We have come across the concept of Earth’s magnetic field, which can also be termed as the geomagnetic field. The extension of this magnetic field will be till several kilometres that is from few ten to thousands. To be specific we can say that the extension is up to the mesosphere.