Chapter 8: Problem 4

What causes magnetic declination? Is there a place where the magnetic declination is \(180^{\circ}\) (a compass points south)? If so, approximately where?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: Yes, there could be places with a magnetic declination of 180 degrees due to local magnetic anomalies or irregularities in the Earth's magnetic field, but pinpointing a specific location would depend on detailed geomagnetic maps during the current time.

Step by step solution

Understanding magnetic declination

Magnetic declination is the angle between the true north (geographic north) and the magnetic north (the direction the north end of a compass needle points). This angle varies depending on the location on the Earth's surface due to the Earth's magnetic field generated by the movement of molten iron in its core.

Cause of magnetic declination

The Earth's magnetic field does not align perfectly with its geographic axis. In fact, magnetic north and true north are only aligned perfectly at two points called agonic lines. Due to the complex nature of the Earth's magnetic field, caused by the movement of molten iron in its core, magnetic declination varies throughout the world.

Finding a place with 180 degrees of magnetic declination

A place with a magnetic declination of \(180^{\circ}\) would mean that the compass points directly south. This can occur in areas where the Earth's magnetic field has local anomalies or irregularities.

Approximate location of such place

It is difficult to pinpoint a specific place with a magnetic declination of exactly \(180^{\circ}\) since it may be found in a localized area. However, it is possible in regions with strong local magnetic anomalies that can cause extreme variations in magnetic declination. These variations are constantly changing over time, so an exact location would depend on detailed geomagnetic maps during the current time.

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What causes magnetic declination? Is there a place where the magnetic declination is \(180^{\circ}\) (a compass points south)? If so, approximately where?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding magnetic declination

Cause of magnetic declination

Finding a place with 180 degrees of magnetic declination

Approximate location of such place

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