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A magnetic needle comes to rest in the north-south direction due to the Earth's magnetic field, which generates a magnetic force that aligns the needle. The Earth acts like a giant magnet with a magnetic north and south pole, causing the needle's magnetic ends to orient themselves along these lines. When the needle is free to rotate, it experiences torque from the Earth's magnetic field until it stabilizes in alignment with the magnetic field lines. This alignment minimizes the potential energy of the system, leading to the stable north-south orientation.

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AnswerBot

4d ago

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Related Questions

What happen when a magnetic needle is freely suspended?

it will rest in the north - south direction


Why does a compass needle point in the north and south direction?

A compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, which has a north and south pole. The north-seeking end of the magnet is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole, causing the needle to point north.


Does the magnetic field go from north to south or south to north?

The magnetic field lines go from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet and from the south pole to the north pole inside the magnet.


Why does a needle points in the direction it does?

A needle points in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field due to its alignment with the Earth's magnetic field lines. The needle itself becomes magnetized and aligns itself with the north and south poles of Earth's magnetic field.


What can be used for a compass?

a freely suspended magnetic needle as it will always point to the north - south direction


Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.


Why does a needle point north and south?

Because of the North and South Poles. They're magnetic and cause the needle to point to them thus showing you what direction you're facing in respect to the both of them


What does force on a magnetic compass needle represent?

The force acting on a magnetic compass needle represents the Earth's magnetic field. The needle aligns itself with the magnetic field lines, pointing towards the North and South magnetic poles. This alignment allows the compass needle to indicate the direction of North.


How does a directional compass work?

A directional compass works by utilizing Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. The needle of the compass is magnetized and aligns itself with the magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic North Pole. This allows users to determine which direction is north, south, east, or west.


Why a magnetic needle comes to rest the north south position?

A magnetic needle aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic north and south poles. The north-seeking end of the needle is attracted to the Earth's magnetic north pole, causing it to come to rest in a north-south position.


What is the direction of the magnetic field from north to south?

The direction of the magnetic field is from north to south.


Which way is north at the north pole?

If you are at the North pole, the north pole of the magnetic needle in the compass will tilt a little, downwards, and the south pole of the compass needle will tilt upwards. If you hold the compass in a direction vertically perpendicular to the surface of the earth, the needle will align itself like the earth's magnetic field, as if it were a huge bar magnet, the north part of the needle facing upwards.