Let us learn a little about dip circle!
The magnetic dip circle a common name in this magnetism lab is a piece of the important equipment in physics and it is a compass that is pivoted to move in the plane and it contains the magnetic field vector of the earth. It will also show that the angle when a magnetic field is making at that vertical.
Dip circle or needle, both of them need to be accurately balanced so that the magnetic torques are exerted on it. Also, there are a few texts that keenly suggest that when the dip angle is measured, ( mostly twice), then the poles of the needle are reversed. This is done by remagnetization between the trials and the results that you get are summed up and taken the average. There are a few instruments that make the needle and circle to be rotated and allowed to use as compasses.
How to use the Dip needle?
It is very simple to use this apparatus and you need to use it as a compass to determine the direction of the horizontal component of the earth’s field. Then, you can orient the dip needle a bit vertically so that it can lie in the north-south plane.
Thia is made of the brass cylinder that has glass faces and it is completely 18 cm in diameter. Also, there is a magnetized steel needle where it is mounted freely to rotate about the axis when aligned through the center of gravity.
In the middle ages, these compass and dip needles were used to find the magnetite and this instrument is likely to be the sturdy design that is designed for some fieldwork.
Hence, the dip circle is not a very sensitive instrument but it is mostly used for pre prospecting purposed. It has been replaced with ground-based versions of the other equipment like magnetometers that are used in aeromagnetic surveys.