Why does a magnet that is free to rotate point towards the North? - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (g) - 2007
Question (g)
Why does a magnet that is free to rotate point towards the North?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Why does a magnet that is free to rotate point towards the North? - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (g) - 2007
Step 1
Reference to Earth's Magnetic Field
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Answer
A magnet that is free to rotate will align itself with the Earth's magnetic field. The Earth behaves like a giant magnet with a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole.
Step 2
Magnetic North Pole
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Answer
The magnetic north pole attracts the south pole of the magnet. In a freely rotating magnet, the north pole of the magnet will rotate to align with the Earth's magnetic north pole.
Step 3
Repulsion and Attraction of Poles
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Answer
Like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract. Therefore, the north pole of the free magnet points towards the Earth's magnetic pole, which is designated as 'north' due to the naming conventions in magnetism.
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