Can you tell?
Why does a freely suspended magnet always settle in the north-south direction?

Answer

It is inferred by the scientist William Gillbert that the earth itself is a gigantic magnet. The magnetic north pole of the earth is situated near its geographic south pole, and magnetic south pole of the earth is situated near earth north pole. Thus, when a magnet is suspended freely., the north pole of the magnet is attracted towards the earth's magnetic south pole, located near the geographic north pole and the south pole of the magnet is attracted towards the earth's magnetic north pole, located near geographic south pole. Hence, a freely suspended magnet comes to rest in the north-south directions.