Question

At a point a on the earth’s surface the angle of dip, $\sigma = + {25^o}$. At a point B on the earth’s surface the angle of dip, $\sigma = - {25^o}$. We can interpret that:
A. A and B are both located in the northern hemisphere.
B. A is located in the southern hemisphere and B is located in the northern hemisphere.
C. A is located in the northern hemisphere and B is located in the southern hemisphere.
D. A and B are both located in the southern hemisphere.

Answer 1

To solve this question, we have to know the angle of dip. This is also called magnetic dip. The earth’s magnetic field lines make this angle horizontal. When the vertical component and the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field line is equal then the angle of dip becomes ${45^o}$.

Complete answer:
From the definition of the angle of dip, we can say this is the complement of the usual polar angle of spherical coordinates. Angle of dip is the angle which is created by earth’s resultant magnetic field and horizontal. We know that this angle of dip is zero at the equator and negative in the southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere this dip angle becomes positive. So the right answer is A is located in the southern hemisphere and B is located in the northern hemisphere.

The right option would be option B.

Note: We can get confused between the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. We have to remember that, Northern hemisphere is the north half of the earth which is the north part of the equator. And the southern hemisphere is, we all know that the other half part of the earth from the equator.