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What is the angle between the geographic North Pole and the direction in which a compass needle points is called magnetic?
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∙ 9y ago
Magnetic declination
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
What instrument is used for determining direction?
A compass. The North magnetic pole is in the direction of the N on the compass. Therefore, the North magnetic pole is in fact a magnetic field south pole since it *attracts* the north magnetic field pole of the compass magnet.
Does a compass point to the geographic north pole?
No. The compass needle points toward the magnetic north pole.
Needle on compass always points to what pole?
The magnetic poles of a compass needle are named after the directions in which they point. 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are LOCATIONS (used to distinguish them from 'True North' and 'Magnetic North'), and do NOT describe their magnetic polarities. As 'unlike poles attract', the north pole of the compass needle points towards Magnetic North, whose polarity must, therefore, be south. By extension, the polarity of Magnetic South is north.
Why is it a problem to have a magnetic North Pole and a geographic North Pole?
An ordinary magnetic compass points to magnetic north, not to true north. If the difference between the two directions is large and not accounted for, you can get lost.
IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
Is the compass attracted to the geographic or magnetic pole?
Magnetic.
How do you find magnetic direction?
The angle between the direction your compass points and the direction you're facing is the 'magnetic azimuth'. The angle between the direction to the north pole and the direction you're facing is the 'true azimuth'. They are virtually never the same angle. The difference between them is the 'magnetic declination' or the 'compass declination' in the place where you are at in which.
Does a compass point geographic north?
No, a compass points to magnetic north, which may not align perfectly with geographic north in certain locations due to variations in the Earth's magnetic field.
How does a compass determine direction?
A compass is a free-spinning magnet that will align itself to be parallel to the Earth's magnetic field lines. Since the Earth's magnetic poles are located relatively close to its geographic poles, a compass pointing to Earth's magnetic north pole also indicates the general direction of Earth's geographic north pole.
What instrument is used for determining direction?
A compass. The North magnetic pole is in the direction of the N on the compass. Therefore, the North magnetic pole is in fact a magnetic field south pole since it *attracts* the north magnetic field pole of the compass magnet.
Why does a compass does not show exact geographical poles?
A compass needle points to the magnetic poles, which are not the same as the geographic poles. There is nothing special about the magnetic field at the geographic poles.
How does a compass determine the directions?
The term "compass direction" means a direction shown by a magnetic compass, one whose needle will be drawn to a north-south alignment. When at a location and facing a certain direction, the "compass direction" is the one at the top (front) of the moving compass rose. If a location is in that direction, it is the indicated compass direction from the current point.On a map, the direction from one point to another is indicated by the up-down and left-right line between the points, and the compass directions are indicated by a compass rose on the map.
What is magnetic variation?
Since the Earth's magnetic poles are not located at the geographic poles, a magnetic compass doesn't point to 'true' (geographic) north. The DIFFERENCE angle between magnetic north and true north is the magnetic variation or declination where you are. It changes for different locations.
What is an instrument invented by the Chinese to show direction?
The Magnetic Compass.
How the compass works?
The Earth has a magnetic field approximately like a magnetic dipole, with the magnetic field S pole near the Earth's geographic north pole and the other magnetic field N pole near the Earth's geographic south pole. A compass can determining direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles by using a magnetized pointer (usually marked on the North end) which is pivoting free to align itself with Earth's magnetic field.
Will a compass always work?
No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.
