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With an increase in magnetic latitude there will be a decrease in the…

  • A
    angle of dip.
  • B
    total magnetic force of the Earth's magnetic field.
  • C
    directive force.
  • D
    vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field.

Refer to figure.
DIRECTIVE FORCE
The force tending to cause the directive element of a compass to line up with the reference direction. The horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field is known as the "Directive Force", which aligns the compass needle.

HORIZONTAL COMPONENT
The horizontal component is the part that is detected by the compass needle in order to determine Magnetic North. A compass is freely suspended in the horizontal plane and the needle will align itself with the Earth's horizontal component (H) of the Earth's magnetic field.

  • The compass is ineffective near the poles. As you approach the poles, the angle between magnetic flux and the horizon becomes vertical – compass ‘dip’ becomes a factor => decrease in the horizontal magnetic field, increase in the vertical magnetic field.
  • The value of the horizontal component is maximum at the Magnetic Equator, a freely suspended compass needle in the Earth's magnetic field will be horizontal to the Earth - in line with the horizontal component.

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