Question

If the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field is 20 µT and the field produced by the coil of wire is 15 µT, what will be the deflection angle of the compass assuming the two magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other?

Answer 1

The deflection angle of the compass is 37⁰

Step-by-step explanation:

`B_(magnet) = B_(Earth)*tan( \theta)\\\\tan( \theta) = (B_(magnet))/(B_(Earth))`

Given;

Earth’s magnetic field strength, B = 20μT

Magnetic field strength of the coil, B = 15 µT

Substitute the given values in the equation above and calculate the deflection angle of the compass.

`\tan( \theta) = (15 \mu T)/(20 \mu T)\\\\\tan( \theta) = 0.75\\\\\theta = tan^(-1)( 0.75)\\\\\theta = 36.87 =37^o`

Therefore, the deflection angle of the compass assuming the two magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other is 37⁰