Which direction do we assume the Earth's magnetic field is?

[HarveyD]

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[Bozo]

You have to assume the earths magnetic field is moving in the northerly direction. Just in case you don't know, the earths north pole actually has a southern polarity i.e the magnetic field lines run from the south pole to the north pole. It was called the north pole just for naming purposes. Hence, the magnetic field lines run towards the NORTH pole so using the right hand slap rule, the rod will get pushed west.

[HarveyD]

alright, so we can assume that its always in the northerly direction for all questions?

[Lasercookie]

alright, so we can assume that its always in the northerly direction for all questions?

Pretty much.

I guess that they could tell you that the object isn't aligned with the field or something like that though, forcing you to adjust your directions. I haven't come across a question that asks that with the Earth's magnetic field, but there was one where it asked that with a field direction they gave you.

[HarveyD]

okay thanks