Name: Resolving the Earth's Magnetic Field
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 3 min 12 s
Description: A magnetic meridian contains the information of the Earth’s net magnetic field. Let's focus on the magnetic meridian and resolve the net magnetic field in th...

Question

Define angle of declination at a place.

Accepted Answer

The magnetic meridian is equal to the imaginary line which connects the magnetic south and north poles. It can be taken as the magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. Therefore, a compass needle shows that the needle is parallel to the magnetic meridian.
Since the magnetic field of the earth constantly changes, magnetic declination is calculated in relation to the geographic north and geographic surface. Magnetic declination is the angle between the local measurement of the magnetic north (whose direction the north end of a compass needle points) and true north (geodetic or geographic north). When the magnetic north is east of true north then the declination is positive.
Hence, the angle of declination at a place is the angle between the geographical meridian and magnetic meridian.

Define angle of declination at a place.

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