Question 666Navigation General70% to pass
The greatest directive force is exerted on the magnetic compass when the _______________.
AI Explanation
The correct answer is D) the vessel is near the magnetic equator.
The reason this is the correct answer is that the Earth's magnetic field is strongest near the magnetic poles and weakest near the magnetic equator. This means the magnetic compass will experience the greatest directive force, or the force that aligns the compass needle with the Earth's magnetic field, when the vessel is near the magnetic equator, where the magnetic field is weakest.
The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) variation has no impact on the directive force of the compass, B) the alignment of the compass needles with the meridian does not affect the directive force, and C) the magnetic field is stronger near the poles, not weaker, so the directive force would be lower near the poles.
Related Questions
#664 Permanent magnetism is caused by _______________.#665 At the magnetic equator there is no induced magnetism in the vertical soft iron because _______________.#667 The magnetic compass magnets are acted on by the horizontal component of the Earth's total magnetic force. This magnetic force is GREATEST at the _______________.#668 Magnetism which is present only when the material is under the influence of an external field is called _______________.#669 Induced magnetism is found in _______________.