Magnetism. The compass aligns with the magnetic field of the Earth.
They use the fact that the earth acts as a giant magnet so that compasses point towards the north pole.
The two areas are the North Magnetic Pole and the Geographic North Pole. Compasses will point toward true north at these locations because they align with the Earth's axis.
true, if the the magnet is not labeled the north end will always point towards the north pole.
At either of the magnetic poles, the lines of force enter the planet, so the compass needle will attempt to point straight downward. Due to minor fluctuations, some compasses will spin or pivot about.Near either geographic pole, compasses will still point toward the magnetic pole, which may be north, south, east, or west of the user's position.
north is a derection that witch a point would be
The compass relies on earth's magnetic field to orient itself. The magnetic field runs from the north pole to the south pole. The compass will orient itself with whichever pole it's closest to.
The North Pole is the geographic point at the top of the Earth, while the magnetic North Pole is where the Earth's magnetic field points vertically downwards. The magnetic North Pole is located slightly off from the geographic North Pole. This difference can affect navigation and compass use because compasses point towards the magnetic North Pole, not the geographic North Pole. This can lead to discrepancies in navigation, especially in areas close to the magnetic North Pole.
Yes, compasses use a magnetic needle that aligns with the Earth's magnetic field. The needle itself is not an electromagnet, but it relies on the Earth's magnetic field to point towards the magnetic north pole.
A compass has both a south pole and a north pole :)
The Earth's magnetic field causes a compass needle to align with the magnetic North Pole, which is located near the geographic North Pole. This makes the compass point to the north direction consistently.
compasses point to it. its at the north pole in the arcticNo It's not, the Magnetic North Pole is at this moment just off Ellesmere Island heading towards Russia at a rate of 40 miles (60 km) per year.AnswerIt depends what you mean by 'magnetic north pole'. If you mean the location, called 'Magnetic North' (arctic), then its polarity is south. If, by 'magnetic north pole', you mean its magnetic polarity, then it's located at Magnetic South (antarctic).
You would have a compass that pointed north, but a lot of the explorers compasses froze up