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Question
What is a neutral point? How is the position of neutral point located with the use of a compass needle?
Solution
Neutral points are the points where the magnetic field of the magnet is equal in magnitude to the earth's horizontal magnetic field, but it is in opposite direction. Thus the net magnetic field at the neutral points is zero.
Since the net magnetic field is zero at neutral points, the compass needle remains unaffected (i.e. it comes to rest pointing in any direction) at these points and hence, they can be detected.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
State the positions of neutral points when a magnet is placed with its axis in the magnetic meridian and with its north pole (i) pointing towards the geographic north and (ii) pointing towards the geographic south.
Complete the following sentence :
At a neutral point, the resultant magnetic field is ___________.
Complete the following sentence :
The neutral points of a bar magnet kept with its north pole pointing towards geographic north are located ____________.
Why do lines of magnetic force never cross? Why do they never pass through a neutral point?
Give the various methods for demagnetizing a magnet.
Different bars are brought near each pole of a compass needle. Complete the following table:
| Nature of bar | Action on the compass needle | |
| North pole | South pole | |
| (i) Glass | No action | __________ |
| (ii) _________ | Attracted | Attracted |
| (iii) North pole of a bar magnet | __________ | ___________ |
| (iv) The south pole of a bar magnet | __________ | repulsion |
