question_answer

Suggest an activity to prepare a magnetic compass by using an iron needle and a bar magnet.

Answer:

Following steps are used to prepare a magnetic compass by using and iron needle and a bar magnet :

(i) Take a small piece of cork and the magnetized needle (which can be magnetized by using a bar magnet).

(ii) Take a cup filled with water and let the cork float on it, the needle should not touch the water.

(iii) Now, compass is ready to work. Note the direction in which the needle points when the cork is floating.

(iv) Rotate the cork in different directions. Note the direction in which the needle points when the cork begins to float again without rotating. We see that the needle always points in the same direction, when the cork floats without rotation.