Question

Which of the following best explains Reversed Polarity?

a. A physical movement of the North Pole southward
b. A magnetic field aligned with the earth's present-day magnetic field
c. A daily fluctuation in true north
d. A magnetic field aligned in the opposite direction as the earth's present-day magnetic field
e. A reversal of opinions by scientists as to the existence of magnetic poles

Answer 1

Reversed Polarity is when the Earth's magnetic field aligns in the opposite direction from the present-day magnetic field, making the magnetic north pole located near the geographic south pole.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term Reversed Polarity refers to periods in Earth’s history when the magnetic field aligned in the opposite direction compared to the earth's present-day magnetic field. During times of normal polarity, the magnetic north pole is located near the geographic north pole, consistent with the current orientation. However, during a reversed polarity, the magnetic north pole would be near the geographic south pole, effectively switching the locations of the magnetic poles. Geologists use the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS) to map out these reversals over Earth's history. Since the north pole of a compass needle is attracted to the magnetic south pole, which in our current time is near the geographic north, the compass needle would point in the opposite direction during periods of reversed polarity.