Does the Dip Angle Change on a Rollercoaster with a Rotating Compass?

AI Thread Summary
The dip angle of a compass needle is influenced by its geographic location relative to the Earth's magnetic poles. When riding a roller coaster with a 360-degree loop, the dip angle would indeed change as the orientation of the compass shifts throughout the ride. The sensitivity of the compass would determine how noticeable these changes are. Specifically, the orientation of the loop affects the degree of change, with east-west loops at the equator showing less variation compared to north-south loops elsewhere. Overall, the dynamics of the roller coaster would cause the dip angle to fluctuate.
hankaaron
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Say I had a special type of compass which was free to rotate about its axis in the vertical plane. If I were to ride a roller coaster which had a 360 loop, would the dip angle of the compass needle change as I rode through the loop?
 
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The dip angle depends on where you are on the planet in relation to the poles. If this "dip meter"was sensitive enough I can't see why it wouldn't change. I suppose if the loop were orientated east-west at the equator the change would be smaller than if north-south elsewhere.
 
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