True Dip and Apparent Dip – Magnetism and Matter Class 12

Class 9-10, JEE & NEET

Here we will study about True Dip and Apparent Dip.

### Apparent Dip

The dip at a place is determined by a dip circle. It consists of magnetized needle capable of rotation in vertical plane about a horizontal axis. The needle moves over a vertical scale graduated in degrees. If the plane of the scale of the dip circle is not in the magnetic meridian then the needle will not indicate correct direction of earth’s magnetic field. The angle made by the needle with the horizontal is called Apparent Dip.

### True Dip

When the plane of scale of dip circle is in the magnetic meridian the needle comes to rest in direction of earth’s magnetic field. The angle made by the needle with the horizontal is called True Dip. Suppose dip circle is set at angle $\alpha$ to magnetic meridian. Horizontal component $${B_H}’ = {B_H}\cos \alpha$$ Vertical component $${B_V}’ = {B_V}$$ (remains unchanged) Apparent dip is $${\theta ^\prime }\tan {\theta ^\prime } = {{{B_V}’} \over {{B_H}’}} = {{{B_V}} \over {{B_H}\cos \alpha }} = {{\tan \theta } \over {\cos \alpha }}\left( {\tan \theta = {{{B_V}} \over {{B_H}}} = {\rm{ true dip }}} \right)$$
1. For a vertical plane other than magnetic meridian $\alpha>0$ or $\cos \alpha<1$ so $\theta^{\prime}>\theta$ In a vertical plane other than magnetic meridian angle of dip is more than in magnetic meridian.
2. For a plane perpendicular to magnetic meridian $\alpha=\frac{\pi}{2}$ $\therefore \tan \theta^{\prime}=\infty \quad$ so $\quad \theta^{\prime}=\frac{\pi}{2}$ So in a plane perpendicular to magnetic meridian dip needle will become vertical.
At magnetic equator :
1. Angle of dip is zero.
2. Vertical component of earths magnetic field becomes zero $B_{V}=B \sin \theta=B \sin 0=0$
3. A freely suspended magnet will become horizontal at magnetic equator.
4. At equator earth’s magnetic field is parallel to earth’s surface i.e., horizontal.
At magnetic poles :
1. Angle of dip is $90^{\circ}$
2. Horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field becomes zero. $B_{H}=B \cos \theta=B \cos 90=0$
3. A freely suspended magnet will become vertical at magnetic poles.
4. At poles earth’s magnetic field is perpendicular to the surface of earth i.e. vertical.

Ex. If $\theta_{1}$ and $\theta_{2}$ are angles of dip in two vertical planes at right angle to each other and $\theta$ is true dip then prove $\cot ^{2} \theta=\cot ^{2} \theta_{1}+\cot ^{2} \theta_{2}$. Sol. If the vertical plane in which dip is $\theta_{1}$ subtends an angle $\alpha$ with meridian than other vertical plane in which dip is $\theta_{2}$ and is perpendicular to first will make an angle of $90-\alpha$ with magnetic meridian. If $\theta_{1}$ and $\theta_{2}$ are apparent dips than $\tan \theta_{1}=\frac{B_{V}}{B_{H} \cos \alpha}$ $\tan \theta_{2}=\frac{B_{V}}{B_{H} \cos (90-\alpha)}=\frac{B_{V}}{B_{H} \sin \alpha}$ $\cot ^{2} \theta_{1}+\cot ^{2} \theta_{2}=\frac{1}{\left(\tan \theta_{1}\right)^{2}}+\frac{1}{\left(\tan \theta_{2}\right)^{2}}=\frac{B_{H}^{2} \cos ^{2} \alpha+B_{H}^{2} \sin ^{2} \alpha}{B_{V}^{2}}=\frac{B_{H}^{2}}{B_{V}^{2}}=\left(\frac{B \cos \theta}{B \sin \theta}\right)^{2}=\cot ^{2} \theta$ So $\quad \cot ^{2} \theta_{1}+\cot ^{2} \theta_{2}=\cot ^{2} \theta$
Also Read: Properties of Paramagnetic & Diamagnetic Materials
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