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The compass needle is magnetic, so it aligns itself with the magnetic poles. For more information on magnetic fields, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field
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What is the name of the line which a compass align?
A needle
What do the poles of a magnetized needle on a compass align themselves with?
(:magnetic field :)
How does a compass needle align itself?
A compass has a needle that is magnetized. This needle is suspended so that it can rotate freely and it can align itself with any magnetic field it is exposed to.If you put a magnet close to a compass, the needle will align itself with the magnets magnetic field.It picks up the earth's magnetic field.answer 2 A magnetic compass needle aligns itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locality.It picks up the earth's magnetic field.answer 2 A magnetic compass needle aligns itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locality.
What is compass housing?
A compass housing is the frame within which a compass needle turns. The housing provides a stationary mechanical reference and also a protective enclosure within which the compass needle can pivot to align itself with the earth's magnetic field.
What causes a compass needle to align with the Earth's North and South poles?
The compass needle aligns to the Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic field is not exactly aligned with the Earth's rotation, but the magnetic south pole is close enough to the geographic north pole for the compass to be useful in most places.
What would a compess point to if you were at the north pole?
If you are at the North pole, the north point of the magnetic needle in the compass will tilt a little downwards, and the south pole of the compass needle will tilt upwards. If you hold the compass in a direction vertically perpendicular to the surface of the Earth, the needle will align itself like the earth's magnetic field, as if it were a huge bar magnet, the north part of the needle facing upwards.
Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?
The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.
How would a southern hemisphere compass differ from a northern hemisphere compass?
The Southern Hemisphere compass will naturally align it self with the South Poleanswer 2 A compass designed to work in the southern hemisphere will have the needle/card balanced differently, for in the S hemisphere the S pole will cause the compass to dip slightly - and opposite to the northern hemisphere.The compass manufacturers divide the Earth into five zones for balance. Some folk need a compass that is insensitive to this effect, (e.g. Army) and for this they choose to have the needle a smaller part of the weight balanced on the pivot, and have a liquid filled compass.Regarding the first sentence above, the compass needle actually aligns itself with the lines of magnetic force at your location - which will still result in a N - S alignment.
Does a compass needle line up perpendicular or parallel to a magnetic field?
A compass needle will align itself with a magnetic field. It will want to lie along the magnetic field lines, or lie parallel to the lines of force of the magnetic field it is interacting with.
How does a compass needle respond when a compass needle is placed within a magnetic field?
A compass needle, as well as everything else on Earth, is ALWAYS within a magnetic field. If the compass needle is free to turn, it will align itself with the magnetic field, and point along the north/south axis of the field. If another magnetic field source appears near the compass ... such as a current-carrying electrical conductor, or a toy magnet in somebody's pocket ... whose field strength is comparable to the Earth's, then the compass will deflect, and realign itself along the north/south axis of the SUM of the fields.
Why does a compass needle deflect in a magnetic field?
A compass needle is lightly magnetized, and will align itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locale. *It will not necessarily point to the Poles. The South magnetic pole is currently at about 68 deg S - some long way from 90 deg.
How does a needle on a compass align itself?
if a bar magnet swings freely it will act like a compass.
