Characteristics of the Earth’s Magnetic Field

Characteristics of the Earth’s Magnetic Field:

The magnetic field lines of the earth resemble that of a hypothetical magnetic dipole located at the centre of the earth. The axis of dipole is presently tilted by approximately 11.3 degree with respect to the axis of the rotation of the earth.

The pole near the geographic North Pole is called the North magnetic pole and the pool near the Geographic South Pole is called South magnetic pole.

Geographic Meridian:– The vertical plane which passes through the axis of rotation of the earth is called Geographic Meridian.

Magnetic Meridian:- The vertical plane which passes through the imaginary line joining the magnetic north and the South Pole is called magnetic meridian.

Note:- If we cut an imaginary plane through rotation of Axis and line joining NM to SM these two planes are called Geographic Meridian and Magnetic Meridian.

Magnetic Elements:- The physical quantities which determine the intensity of the earth’s total magnetic field completely (both in magnitude and direction) are called magnetic elements.

There are three magnetic elements of the earth-

Magnetic Declination:- At any point on earth’s surface, the angle between the Geographic meridian and magnetic meridian is called magnetic declination.

It is different at different place on the earth.

It is denoted by I.

 

Magnetic inclination or Dip:- A magnetic needle which is free to rotate in a vertical plane (called the needle) is placed at earth surface on various places.

The needle Alliance with Earth’s magnetic field lines with north pole of needle pointing toward magnetic North Pole.

At this instant the angle made by a needle with horizontal (to Earth’s surface) to magnetic meridian is called angle of Dip.

It is denoted by dell.

 

Horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field:- It is the component of the Earth’s magnetic field along the horizontal direction.