Question

(a) Is the Earth's magnetic field parallel to the ground at all locations? If not, where is it approximately parallel to the surface? (b) Is the strength of the Earth's magnetic field the same at all locations? If not, where is it greatest? (c) Imagine you are a 15th century explorer, sailing across the ocean, guided by a magnetic compass. Will it be easier to navigate near the equator or near one of the Earth's poles? Explain your reasoning. 4.

Answer 1

a). No, the earth's magnetic field is not parallel to the ground at all locations. Only equator lines are parallel to the ground.

b). No, the strength of magnetic field of earth is not same at all locations, It is greatest near the south pole.

c). It would be easier to navigate near the equator, since the compass will easily move and align itself in the north direction but at the poles the magnetic field lines are either vertically inwards or outwards, so the needle of the compass will stay stable in any direction and will be useless to us.