What is the primary property of a freely suspended magnet?a)It rotates...
A freely suspended magnet aligns itself along the north-south direction due to the Earth's magnetic field.
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What is the primary property of a freely suspended magnet?a)It rotates...
Understanding the Behavior of a Freely Suspended Magnet
A freely suspended magnet exhibits a fundamental property that is essential to understanding magnetism. The correct answer to the question is that it aligns itself along the north-south direction. Here’s a detailed explanation of why this occurs.
Why Does a Freely Suspended Magnet Align North-South?
- Earth's Magnetic Field: The Earth behaves like a giant magnet with a magnetic field that extends from the magnetic south pole to the magnetic north pole.
- Magnetic Poles: A freely suspended magnet has two poles: a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of the magnet is attracted to the Earth's magnetic north pole, which is actually a magnetic south pole.
- Equilibrium Position: When the magnet is freely suspended, gravity allows it to rotate and find a position of stability. The magnetic forces exerted by the Earth guide it to align along the magnetic field lines.
Other Options Explained
- Option A (It rotates continuously): This is not true. The magnet will stop rotating once it aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field.
- Option C (It loses its magnetic properties): A freely suspended magnet does not lose its properties simply by being suspended; it retains its magnetism unless exposed to extreme conditions.
- Option D (It points towards the East): This is incorrect as well. The magnet specifically aligns itself along the north-south axis, not towards the east.
Conclusion
In summary, the primary property of a freely suspended magnet is its ability to align itself along the north-south direction due to the influence of the Earth's magnetic field. This alignment is a fundamental characteristic of magnetic behavior and demonstrates the interaction between magnets and the Earth's magnetic properties.