The plotting compass is a small magnet that is pivoted between two glass plates. The compass is illustrated below. It is quite small. Its diameter is about 12 mm and its height about 6 mm. The glass plates are held together by two plastic rings.
2.2.1) Why is steel an unsuitable material to use for the rings?
2.2.2) Explain how a smaller compass will improve the accuracy.
2.2.1) Steel contains iron, which can be magnetized, thus interfering with the compass.
2.2.2) A small compass marks points with greater precision, allowing us to trace the field more accurately.
Explanation:
A plotting compass is a small compass used in experiments to trace lines of magnetic fields. In order to work properly, there can be no interfering magnetic forces, so the compass is made from non-ferrous materials like glass and plastic. Metals like iron or steel can be magnetized, which would interfere with the compass.
The plotting compass traces magnetic fields one point at a time. A small compass allows us to mark more points closer together, thus getting a more accurate trace.
