Question

1a. The horizontal magnetic component in Minnesota is 17.5?T and in Equator it is 27.1?T. Describe why it is larger in Equator.

1b. The total magnetic field strength in Minnesota is 55.1?T and in Equator it is 29.1?T. Describe why it is smaller in Equator.

Answer 1

We know that the Minnesota is at around 46 degree N which means it is closer to the North pole.

Also, magnetic filed lines direction show the magnetic field direction and the spacing indicates the strength of the magnetic filed. The greater spacing means lower strength magnetic field and less spacing means higher strength magnetic field.

Now look at the figure below:

Observations from the picture:

1. At Equator, magnetic field lines are horizontal (imagine yourself standing at equator) and there is higher spacing. This signifies that magnetic field has low strength and all magnetic lines are horizontal. So there will be no vertical component or very little vertical component of magnetic field

2. At Minnesota, magnetic field lines are somewhat directing into the ground at an angle(imagine yourself standing at Minnesota) and there is lower spacing. This signifies that magnetic field has high strength and all magnetic lines are will have horizontal and vertical (in to the ground) components.

Lets answer the question

1(a)The horizontal magnetic component in Minnesota is 17.5?T and in Equator it is 27.1?T.

This can be explained by the downward direction component of magnetic field at Minnesota while there is no vertical component at equator. So, the horizontal component of magnetic field at Minnesota (17.5 micro Tesla) will be less than the absolute magnitude of magnetic filed. While at equator almost whole of the magnetic field is horizontal.

1(b). The total magnetic field strength in Minnesota is 55.1?T and in Equator it is 29.1?T.

This can be explained by the spacing of the magnetic filed lines. Since spacing at Minnesota is less the magnetic field has higher strength and it is also closer to the North pole where the magnetic filed is strongest. The equator has more spacing in magnetic field lines and its also farthest from both poles so lower magnetic field strength.