Question:hard

A bar magnet of length 16 cm is placed in the magnetic meridian with the N-pole pointing towards geographical north. Two neutral points separated by 12 cm are obtained on the equatorial line of the magnet. If the horizontal component of Earth's magnetic field is \(3.2 \times 10^{-5} \, \text{T}\), find the pole strength of the magnet.

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For bar magnet neutral points: use \(B_{\text{magnet}} = B_H\) and geometry to relate pole strength, length, and position of neutral points.
Updated On: Jul 18, 2026
  • 0.25 Am
  • 0.5 Am
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Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Work with the magnetic moment instead of the pole strength alone.
For a bar magnet, the field at an equatorial point a distance $d$ from the centre is
\[ B_H = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\frac{M}{\left(d^2+\left(\frac{l}{2}\right)^2\right)^{3/2}}, \qquad M = p\,l \]
where $l$ is the magnet's length and $p$ its pole strength.
Step 2: Read off the geometry.
The two neutral points are $12\ \text{cm}$ apart and symmetric about the centre, so $d = 6\ \text{cm} = 0.06\ \text{m}$, and half the magnet's length is $l/2 = 8\ \text{cm} = 0.08\ \text{m}$.
\[ d^2+\left(\frac{l}{2}\right)^2 = 0.0036+0.0064 = 0.01\ \text{m}^2 \implies (0.01)^{3/2}=0.001\ \text{m}^3 \]
Step 3: Solve for the magnetic moment.
\[ M = \frac{4\pi B_H \times 0.001}{\mu_0} = \frac{B_H\times0.001}{10^{-7}} = 3.2\times10^{-5}\times10^4 = 0.32\ \text{Am}^2 \]
Step 4: Divide by the length to get the pole strength.
\[ p = \frac{M}{l} = \frac{0.32}{0.16} = 2\ \text{Am} \]
\[ \boxed{2\ \text{Am}} \]
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