Which statement is true about magnetic field lines relative to geographic poles?

Which statement is true about magnetic field lines relative to geographic poles?

• A. Field lines are not aligned with the geographic poles.
• B. Field lines are perfectly aligned with the geographic poles.
• C. Field lines run along the equator.
• D. Field lines originate at the geographic equator.

Answer: (A)

Earth’s magnetic field behaves like a tilted dipole, with a magnetic axis that is not the same as the planet’s rotation (geographic) axis. Because of this tilt, the magnetic poles are not the geographic poles, and the field lines connect one magnetic pole to the other rather than following lines of latitude or the equator. The lines curve from one magnetic pole to the opposite one and pass through space and the surface in a pattern that does not align with the geographic poles. This is why field lines are not aligned with geographic poles, and they do not run along the equator or originate there.

Earth’s magnetic field behaves like a tilted dipole, with a magnetic axis that is not the same as the planet’s rotation (geographic) axis. Because of this tilt, the magnetic poles are not the geographic poles, and the field lines connect one magnetic pole to the other rather than following lines of latitude or the equator. The lines curve from one magnetic pole to the opposite one and pass through space and the surface in a pattern that does not align with the geographic poles. This is why field lines are not aligned with geographic poles, and they do not run along the equator or originate there.