A dip needle is a small magnet mounted on ahorizontal axis so that it can swivel up or down like a compass turned on it's side) where on earth will a dip needle point most nearly vertically? where will it point most nearly horizontally?

Question

A dip needle is a small magnet mounted on ahorizontal axis so that it can swivel up or down like a compass turned on it's side) where on earth will a dip needle point most nearly vertically?  where will it point most nearly horizontally?

drwls · Answer

When free to move in any direction, magnetic needles tend to align themselves with the magnetic lines of force of the earth. Take a look at this figure and then you should be able to answer the question:
http://www.open2.net/open2static/source/file/root/15/0/61463/magnetic.jpg