Question

Dip of a magnetic needle at equator and pole is respectively:
1. 78° and 12° 
2. 90° and 0°
3. 0° and 90°
4. 12° and 78°

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 0° and 90°

Magnetic inclination or Angle of dip:

• The angle made by the earth’s total magnetic field, B with the horizontal direction in the magnetic meridian is called as the magnetic inclination at that place
• It is the angle by which the total intensity of the earth’s magnetic field dips or comes out of the horizontal plane; It is different at different places and measured using a “Dip Circle”
• At the magnetic equator, the dip needle rests horizontally at an angle of zero degrees while, at the magnetic poles, the magnetic needle rests vertically, at an angle of 90 degrees.
• At all the other places, the angle of dip is between 0 and 90 degrees.