actually the north pole of our earth(considering it as a big bar magnet) is the geographic south pole.Its called so because it lies on the northern hemisphere.Actually it is the south pole of our big bar magnet
Additional AnswerThe north magnetic pole of a compass needle points to Magnetic North. "Magnetic North" is so-called to differentiate it from "True North", and has nothing whatsoever to do with its magnetic polarity. Actually, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is a south pole which, because unlike poles attract, attracts the north pole of the compass needle.
The north pole of the earth is only the geographical north pole. The actual magnetic north pole of the Earth's magnetic field is situated near the south pole. Similarly, the south pole of the Earth's magnetic field is situated near the geographical north pole. So, when a magnet is freely suspended, the north pole of the magnet is attracted to the magnetic south pole of the Earth and thus, indirectly, points to the geographical north of the Earth.
Alternative AnswerLet's sort out our terminology, here. "Magnetic North" is a location or more accurately, a direction, and the term is used to differentiate it from the earth's "True North". The term "Magnetic North" has nothing to do with its magnetic polarity, which is a south pole.
Because Earth's Geographical North Pole (the Arctic) is near its magnetic south pole.
North pole. The north pole of a compass needle has "S" on it, and the south pole of the needle has "N" on it. Opposites attract, similar poles repel.
spins
The north pole of the magnet is the one that points north. The Earth magentic pole that is near the north pole is traditionally called the "magnetic north pole", but if you consider Earth as a magnet, it is really the SOUTH pole, since the north pole of a magnet is attracted to it.
North does NOT repel south, etc.; rather, north ATTRACTS south, and north REPELS north.What happens here is as follows. The north pole of one magnet is attracted to the south pole of another magnet. The north end of a compass is attracted by Earth's magnetic SOUTH pole; therefore, Earth's ACTUAL magnetic south pole is to the north. However, and confusingly, this has traditionally often been called Earth's magnetic north pole.
It is still a needle, but could be referred to as a compass needle.
North pole. The north pole of a compass needle has "S" on it, and the south pole of the needle has "N" on it. Opposites attract, similar poles repel.
spins
The pole of the compass that is attracted to the earth's magnetic north pole must be a south magnetic pole. But here's the thing. In the compass, the south magnetic pole of the needle is marked "N" because that end of the compass needle points to earth's magnetic north. The only way the needle can point to earth's magnetic north is if that end of the needle, the one marked with an "N" on it, is a magnetic south pole. It almost seems counter intuitive, but think it through and it will become clear.
The pole of the compass that is attracted to the earth's magnetic north pole must be a south magnetic pole. But here's the thing. In the compass, the south magnetic pole of the needle is marked "N" because that end of the compass needle points to earth's magnetic north. The only way the needle can point to earth's magnetic north is if that end of the needle, the one marked with an "N" on it, is a magnetic south pole. It almost seems counter intuitive, but think it through and it will become clear.
The north pole of the magnet is the one that points north. The Earth magentic pole that is near the north pole is traditionally called the "magnetic north pole", but if you consider Earth as a magnet, it is really the SOUTH pole, since the north pole of a magnet is attracted to it.
the pole of the compass is attracted to the earths geographic north pole
The needle on a compass points to the North Magnetic Pole. CommentA compass points to Magnetic North, not to the north magnetic pole. They are two different things -the first is location, the second is magnetic polarity.
North does NOT repel south, etc.; rather, north ATTRACTS south, and north REPELS north.What happens here is as follows. The north pole of one magnet is attracted to the south pole of another magnet. The north end of a compass is attracted by Earth's magnetic SOUTH pole; therefore, Earth's ACTUAL magnetic south pole is to the north. However, and confusingly, this has traditionally often been called Earth's magnetic north pole.
To the magnetic north pole
It is still a needle, but could be referred to as a compass needle.
The needle of a compass is a magnet, and the earth is also a magnet. The side of the compass marked N is attracted to the north pole of the Earth, and the side marked S is attracted to Earth's south pole. The compass will spin to line itself up with the poles it is attracted to. However, if you have other magnets nearby, the compass can spin to line itself up with those instead.
The compass needle is magnetic so has a north pole and a south pole. North attracts north and south attracts south so the compass needle points to the north pole (you could say it - the other end- points to the south pole too).