Question

Assertion (A): The needle of a compass, kept in an external magnetic field, always aligns itself in the North-South direction of the Earth. 

Reason (R): The behaviour of the needle of the compass is similar to the behaviour of a freely suspended bar magnet.

Options

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Explanation:

Assertion (A) is false because a compass needle aligns with the resultant magnetic field; if a strong external field is present, it will deviate from the Earth’s North-South direction. Reason (R) is true because a compass needle is essentially a small bar magnet pivoted to rotate freely.