Question

The angle of dip at equator is:
(A) ${0^ \circ }$
(B) ${45^ \circ }$
(C) ${60^ \circ }$
(D) ${90^ \circ }$

Answer 1

Hint:The angle of the magnetic force that it makes with that of the horizontal earth’s surface is called by the name angle of dip. It is also called the magnetic dip. Depending on its angle, the earth’s region is classified into the magnetic equator and the magnetic poles.

Complete step by step solution:
The magnetic dip provides the information about the earth’s magnetic field. The angle of the dip value is zero at the equator. This is because the lines of force around the equator are perfectly horizontal. This line of force slightly declines with the movement towards the poles. At the poles, the magnetic lines of force will be perpendicular to the horizontal surface. Hence the angle of the dip at the poles becomes ${90^ \circ }$ .

Thus the option (A) is correct.

Additional information:
On the other hand, the declination is the angle between the geographic meridian and the magnetic meridian. It can also be said as the angle in the horizontal plane between the magnetic north and the true north. It is represented by the isogonic lines on the map. The earth’s magnetic field is mainly due to the molten iron and the nickel present in the inner core of the earth’s surface.

Note:The magnetic needle points downwards, the angle of the dip is positive and when the magnetic needle points upwards, the angle of the dip is negative. If the angle of dip’s horizontal and the vertical component are the same, then the angle is ${45^ \circ }$.