Question

In the magnetic meridian of a certain place, the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field is 0.26 units and the angle of dip is 60°.What is the magnetic field of the Earth at this location ?
1. 0.52 units
2. 0.13 units
3. 15.6 units
4. 60.26 units

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 0.52 units

The correct answer is 0.52 units.

• Here given, Earth's magnetic field (H) = 0⋅26G, angle of dip (δ) = 60°
  The magnetic field of the Earth (R) =?
  As we know, H = R × cosδ
  ∴ R = \({H \over cosδ}\) = \({0.26 \over cos60°}\) = \({0.26 \over (1/2)}\) = 0⋅52 G
  Hence, the magnetic field of the Earth at this location is 0.52 G.

• The range of dip is from -90° (at the North Magnetic Pole) to +90° (at the South Magnetic Pole).
  •  It is the angle between the direction of the total magnetic field of earth and a horizontal line in the magnetic meridian.
• The horizontal component and the vertical component of the earth’s magnetic field are equal when the angle of dip is equal to 45°.