Multiple choice

When a bar magnet is suspended, it always points in the __________ direction.

  1. North-East

  2. South-West

  3. North-South

  4. East-West

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A freely suspended bar magnet always aligns itself in the North-South direction because Earth itself acts as a giant magnet. The magnet's north pole points towards geographic North (which is actually magnetic south), and the south pole points towards geographic South. This directional property is why compasses work.