Question

question 4 of 15
which statement is true of earths poles?

a. earths magnetic and geographic poles are generally not in the same place.

b. earths north magnetic pole is aligned with its geographic north pole.

c. earths north magnetic pole is aligned with its geographic south pole.

d. earths geographic north pole moves about 10 km each year.

Explanation:

• Option A: Earth’s magnetic poles (where magnetic field lines emerge/enter) and geographic poles (axis endpoints) are distinct. The magnetic poles shift over time and aren’t at the same location as geographic poles.
• Option B: The north magnetic pole is near the geographic North Pole but not aligned (and it’s actually a magnetic south pole in terms of field direction, but the key here is alignment—they aren’t perfectly aligned).
• Option C: The north magnetic pole is near geographic North (not South), and the magnetic pole’s “north” is a magnetic designation, not aligned with geographic South.
• Option D: The magnetic North Pole moves, not the geographic North Pole (which is a fixed axis point, though the crustal plate movement is very slow, not 10 km/year for geographic pole). So only A is true.

Answer:

A. Earth's magnetic and geographic poles are generally not in the same place.