Chapter 16, Problem 33A

Your friend whimsically says that at the North Pole, a step in any direction is a step south. Do you agree?

To determine

To identify: Whether a person will agree with his friend or not.

Answer to Problem 33A

Yes, the friend’s argument is correct. At North Pole, the step in any direction is a step south.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

There are two poles on magnet, North pole and South pole. There will be repulsion force between like poles while attraction force between unlike poles. In a magnetic compass, the direction in which needle always points is towards the North-South.

At North pole, any step taken will be in South direction. Earth is spherical in shape. At any point on the Earth, the needle direction in North will points towards the sphere in the opposite direction that is towards South.

Conclusion:

Hence, the friend’s argument is true.