Explanation:

When a magnet is suspended freely, it aligns itself in the North-South direction. This phenomenon is due to the Earth's magnetic field which exerts a force on the magnet.

Earth's Magnetic Field:
- The Earth has a magnetic field that is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core.
- This magnetic field extends from the Earth's interior into space.
- The Earth's magnetic field is similar to that of a bar magnet, with a North Pole and a South Pole.

Magnetic Compass:
- A freely suspended magnet acts like a magnetic compass.
- The North Pole of a magnet is attracted towards the Earth's North Pole, which is in the geographic North direction.
- The South Pole of a magnet is attracted towards the Earth's South Pole, which is in the geographic South direction.

Alignment of a Freely Suspended Magnet:
- When a magnet is suspended freely, it aligns itself in the North-South direction.
- The North Pole of the magnet points towards the Earth's North Pole, and the South Pole points towards the Earth's South Pole.
- This alignment is a result of the magnet trying to minimize the force exerted on it by the Earth's magnetic field.
- It is the natural equilibrium position for a magnet in the presence of the Earth's magnetic field.

Importance of Alignment:
- The alignment of a freely suspended magnet is used in various applications.
- Magnetic compasses use this alignment to determine the direction of North.
- Navigation systems, such as GPS, also rely on the alignment of magnets to provide accurate directional information.
- The alignment of a magnet can also be used to study the Earth's magnetic field and its variations.

Conclusion:
When a magnet is suspended freely, it aligns itself in the North-South direction due to the influence of the Earth's magnetic field. This alignment is important for various applications and helps in determining the direction of North.