Question

4.1.4 quiz: magnetism
question 1 of 10
what would happen if the compass were moved to the location of the black x in the diagram?
a. the red part of the compass needle would point toward the magnets south pole.
b. the red part of the compass needle would point in the opposite direction.
c. the locations of the magnets north and south poles would switch.
d. the arrows on the magnetic field lines would point in the opposite directions.

Explanation:

• Magnetic field lines go from the north pole to the south pole of a magnet.
• The red part of a compass needle (which is a small magnet itself) aligns with the magnetic field lines.
• At the location of the black X, the magnetic field direction is opposite to the initial position of the compass (shown in the diagram). So the red part of the compass needle would point in the opposite direction.
• Option A: The red part (north - seeking end of the compass) should point towards the magnet's north pole (based on magnetic field line direction), so this is wrong.
• Option C: The magnet's poles are fixed (north and south are inherent properties of the magnet in this context), so this is wrong.
• Option D: The arrows on the magnetic field lines are determined by the magnet's poles (north to south) and don't change just because a compass is moved, so this is wrong.

Answer:

B. The red part of the compass needle would point in the opposite direction.