Pasco SF-8619 MAGNETIC DIP NEEDLE User Manual download pdf

Instruction Sheet

for the PASCO

Model SF-8619

MAGNETIC DIP NEEDLE

012-04399C

3/95

$1.00

Introduction

This compass needle is used to measure the dip angle of

the Earth's magnetic field. However, it may also be used

in its horizontal position as a conventional compass.

Setup Procedure

➀ Assemble the two parts of the dip needle by inserting

the banana plug connector into the hole in the black

rod on the stand, as shown in equipment setup diagram.

➁ Put the dip needle in a location which is far away from

any ferromagnetic materials and other magnetic fields.

If you place the dip needle on a table, be sure there are

no ferromagnetic supports under the table top.

➂ Rotate the dip needle at its banana plug connection

until the plastic scale is in the horizontal plane.

Phone (916) 786-3800 • FAX (916) 786-8905 • email: techsupp@PASCO.com

10101 Foothills Blvd. • P.O. Box 619011 • Roseville, CA 95678-9011 USA

better

teach physics

ways to

➃ While in the horizontal position, rotate the entire appa-

ratus to align the compass needle with the axis of ba-

nana plug pivot.

➄ Without changing the orientation of the base, rotate

the dip needle at its banana plug connection until the

plastic scale is in the vertical plane.

Theory

The dip needle is a magnetized steel needle which rotates

around its center of mass. When no other magnetic fields

are present, the dip needle will align itself along the direc-

tion of the Earth’s magnetic field. The dip angle, or incli-

nation, is the angle between the horizontal plane and the

total Earth magnetic field. By convention, the dip angle

is positive when pointing downwards.

The dip needle apparatus measures the angle, θ between

the vertical plane and the total Earth magnetic field. In

order to obtain the dip angle, subtract θ from 90˚.

The United States Geological Survey maintains a public

domain program for IBM compatible computers which

models geomagnetic parameters including dip angle. The

user inputs their latitude, longitude and elevation and the

program calculates the dip angle. Copies of the program

are free of charge and are available over the Internet via

the following methods:

ftp host: ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov login anonymous

gopher host: gopher.ngdc.noaa.gov no login necessary

www host: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov no login necessary

The appropriate file is pcgeomag.zip which contains the

source code, executable and documentation files along

with the current magnetic field model.

Equipment Setup

This instruction sheet written/edited by: Ann Hanks

1 2

Summary of Contents

Page 1 - MAGNETIC DIP NEEDLE

Instruction Sheetfor the PASCOModel SF-8619MAGNETIC DIP NEEDLE012-04399C3/95$1.00IntroductionThis compass needle is used to measure the dip angle ofth

Page 2 - Limited Warranty

2Magnetic Dip Needle 012-04399CNSNorthMagneticPoleNorthGeographicPoleSouthMagneticPoleSouthGeographicPoleDip Angle for Northern CaliforniaθCopyright N

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Pasco SF-8619 MAGNETIC DIP NEEDLE User Manual

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