Definition

1. Noun:
   • The angle of dip: In physics and geomagnetism, 'magnetic inclination' is the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon. It is the angle between the Earth's magnetic field lines and the horizontal plane at a specific location.

Usage

• 'Magnetic inclination' is a specific scientific term used in geology, navigation, and physics. It describes a measurable property of the Earth's magnetic field at a given point. It is also commonly called the 'dip angle'.
• This term is typically used in technical writing, scientific reports, and discussions about Earth's magnetism or compass navigation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The magnetic inclination in London is about 66 degrees.
  • To navigate accurately near the poles, one must account for the high magnetic inclination.
  • Scientists measure magnetic inclination to study changes in the Earth's magnetic field.

Advanced Usage

• "Isoclinic line": A line on a map connecting points of equal magnetic inclination.
  • The chart included isoclinic lines to show the variation in magnetic dip across the region.

Variants and Related Words

• Magnetic dip (n): A common synonym for magnetic inclination.
• Inclination (n): In a general scientific context, the angle a line or surface makes with the horizontal. 'Magnetic' specifies the type.
• Magnetic declination (n): A related but distinct concept referring to the angle between magnetic north and true north.

Synonyms

• Dip angle: The angle of dip.
• Magnetic dip: The inclination of the magnetic field.

Related Phrases

• Angle of dip: Another phrase for magnetic inclination.
• Field inclination: A more general term that can be used in other contexts (e.g., astrophysics) but is synonymous here when specifying 'magnetic'.

Notes

• 'Magnetic inclination' is a compound noun. The core word being explained is the full term 'magnetic inclination'. It is not typically broken into separate phrasal verbs or idioms. Its value is zero at the magnetic equator and 90 degrees at the magnetic poles.

Noun

1. (physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon