The moon does not have a magnetic field, so a compass would not point in any particular direction, unless it was being used close to a rock or minieral that was naturally magnetic. According to Nineplanets.org, the moon may have had a magnetic field at some time in the distant past, but no longer. For more info, try http://www.nineplanets.org/luna.html
Answer Since the Moon has nearly no magnetic field, it wouldn't be much good at all.
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 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.
'Magnetic North' is so-called to distinguish it from 'True North' -it has nothing whatsoever to do with describing its magnetic polarity. The poles of a magnet and, therefore, a compass needle, are named after the directions in which they point. Since unlike poles attract, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North must be a south pole.
It points north because of Earth's magnetic field. I believe the term "magnetosphere" is used mainly for outer space.
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.
The compass needle is attracted by the Earth's magnetic field.
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.
A magnetic compass acts in relation to the Earth by aligning a magnetised needle with the lines of the Earth's magnetic field; thus resulting in a needle which points to magnetic North.
The magnetized needle of a compass is attracted to the Earth's own magnetic field which has magnetic poles at the North and South.
It is still a needle, but could be referred to as a compass needle.
The needle of a compass points towards the Earth's magnetic 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.
Because of the Earth's Magnetic Field.
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.
The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.
When you sail with a magnetized needle, it will point towards the magnetic north pole. This is because the needle aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, which is used for navigation purposes.