The magnetic needles of the compass align with earths magnetic field coming off the polar ice cap.
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
It is the magnetism, or magnetic force, of the Earth's magnetic field. Created by the movement of the planet's iron core, the magnetic field consists of roughly parallel lines connecting the North and South Magnetic Poles, which are not the same locations as the geographic poles. The magnetized compass needle (actually a very thin bar magnet) reacts to this field by lining up along a north-south axis.The north end of the needle indicates the direction to the North Magnetic Pole, allowing users to orient themselves directionally.
The Earth magnetism, caused by the spinning iron core of our planet, is used by many things like: - a compass to define north - birds (to navigate) - hypothyzed fish use it for navigatoin as well - magnetic field, which protects our precious atmosphere - archeologists and geologists to define where a specific area used to be in the past - etc I'm guessing you were looking for "compass".
Not magnetism, gravity.
Magnetism is not involved in the positions or motions of the sun, moon, or earth.
For navigation
Because in the US your probably closer to the magnetic center of the earth, because earth is a magnet and compasses show your direction through magnetism!
A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.
Magnetism. The compass aligns with the magnetic field of the Earth.
A compass relies on Earth's magnetism to stay pointed north.
What property it uses depends on the type of compass. A magnetic compass uses magnetism. Some other compasses (which are more accurate) use the rotation of Earth itself.
No. A compass is a useful tool on Earth because the needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field and we know the shape of that field. There would be no such field in outer space.
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
A compass needle is actually a weak magnet. Because in magnetism opposite polarities attract while like polarities repel, the needle's north pole seeks the earth's south pole and vice versa.
It is the magnetism, or magnetic force, of the Earth's magnetic field. Created by the movement of the planet's iron core, the magnetic field consists of roughly parallel lines connecting the North and South Magnetic Poles, which are not the same locations as the geographic poles. The magnetized compass needle (actually a very thin bar magnet) reacts to this field by lining up along a north-south axis.The north end of the needle indicates the direction to the North Magnetic Pole, allowing users to orient themselves directionally.
The Earth magnetism, caused by the spinning iron core of our planet, is used by many things like: - a compass to define north - birds (to navigate) - hypothyzed fish use it for navigatoin as well - magnetic field, which protects our precious atmosphere - archeologists and geologists to define where a specific area used to be in the past - etc I'm guessing you were looking for "compass".
You would not get a true reading any longer. The forces of the electromagnet are greater than the natural magnetism of the Earth.