The diagrams show two identical bar magnets (magnetic dipole moment magnitude m each) in four configurations A–D. Which configuration has the highest resultant magnetic dipole moment? [Image]
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Question

The diagrams show two identical bar magnets (magnetic dipole moment magnitude m each) in four configurations A–D. Which configuration has the highest resultant magnetic dipole moment? [Image]

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Represent each bar magnet by a dipole vector pointing from S to N; every magnet has equal magnitude m. Step 2: Resolve vectors along the horizontal and vertical directions using the angles shown in the four diagrams. Step 3: The configuration whose two dipole vectors give the greatest vector-sum magnitude is option C in the source diagram. Inspect the original diagram before uploading the options. Final answer: (C), refer to source diagram / graph.