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Let's start by sorting out the terminology. 'Magnetic North' is a location, so-called, to distinguish it from 'True North'. It is not the magnetic polarity of that location. Magnetic North is not a fixed location, but is always moving relative to Magnetic North which is located at the earth's axis.

A freely-suspended magnet, when it comes to rest, essentially points towards Magnetic North (it actually lies along the lines of magnetic flux that join Magnetic North and Magnetic South). For this reason, that end of a magnet (and that of a compass needle) was originally called its 'North-seeking' pole. Over time, we have dropped the word, 'seeking', and it's now simply called its 'north pole' and, by common agreement, this is also considered to be its magnetic polarity.

So, if the 'north' pole of a magnet points towards the location we call 'Magnetic North', then the magnetic polarity of that location is a south pole. This is because unlike poles attract.

So, to answer the question, the south magnetic pole of the earth is located (deep within the earth) below the location we call 'Magnetic North' in Canada.

Why people find this so confusing can only be put down to poor teaching! It is perfectly logical; there has not been any mistake in naming the poles; it's not because the polarity of compass needles have been misnamed!!! It's because people don't seem to realise that Magnetic North is a LOCATION, not a polarity!

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Q: Where is the south magnetic pole of the Earth?
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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.


Earth magnet what?

Earth's magnetic field (and the surface magnetic field) is approximately a magnetic dipole, with the magnetic field South pole near the Earth's geographic north pole (see Magnetic North Pole) and the other magnetic field N pole near the Earth's geographic south pole (see Magnetic South Pole). This makes the compass usable for navigation. The cause of the field can be explained by dynamo theory. A magnetic field extends infinitely, though it weakens with distance from its source. The Earth's magnetic field, also called the geomagnetic field, which effectively extends several tens of thousands of kilometres into space, forms the Earth's magnetosphere. A paleomagnetic study of Australian red dacite and pillow basalt has estimated the magnetic field to be at least 3.5 billion years old.


The most likely places you would find magnetic force on the earth are?

the north pole and south pole


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.


How does magnetic force works?

The magnetic forces from the North and South pole send magnetic forces around the earth, that's why on a magnet you cant stick North and North or South and South, They have the same magnetic force

Related questions

What pulls the South Pole of a magnetic compass?

The south pole of a magnetic compass is pulled towards the Earth's north magnetic pole, and away from Earth's south magnetic pole. Or towards and away the corresponding poles of any other magnet. Note that Earth's NORTH magnetic pole is close to the SOUTH pole.


The earth is meaning it has 2 poles?

The Earth has a magnetic field around it. The magnetic North is close to what we call the North Pole. The magnetic South is at the South Pole. There is a magnetic North and South and a geographic North and South pole.


How are the southpole and the south magnetic pole different?

The "South Pole" (and the North Pole) is the axis about which the earth rotates. The "South Magnetic Pole" has nothing to do with the South Pole other than they are located within the Antarctic Circle. All magnets have a North and South Pole, the "South Magnetic Pole" and the "North Magnetic Pole" are the opposite ends of the earth's magnetic field.


Where does the south pole a compass magnet points?

The north of the compass points to Earth's magnetic south pole, which is to the north.


Which pole of a compass magnet is attracted to Earth's magnetic north pole?

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.


Which pole of a compass magnet is attracted to earth's magnetic north pole?

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.


What pole is positive?

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Why is a North Pole of a compass attracted to the North Pole of the Earth?

actually the north pole of our earth(considering it as a big bar magnet) is the geographic south pole.Its called so because it lies on the northern hemisphere.Actually it is the south pole of our big bar magnetAdditional AnswerThe north magnetic pole of a compass needle points to Magnetic North. "Magnetic North" is so-called to differentiate it from "True North", and has nothing whatsoever to do with its magnetic polarity. Actually, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is a south pole which, because unlike poles attract, attracts the north pole of the compass needle.


What are the polarity of earth's north and south poles?

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Is the magnetic pole near the Earths true North Pole a magnetic south pole or a magnetic north pole?

Earths geographic North Pole is also currently a magnetic north pole. This is however not always the case because over geological time scales the Earth's magnetic poles flip as a result of changes of flow in Earth's molten core which produces Earth's magnetic field.


Which pole (north or south) of a compass magnet is attracted to Earth's magnetic north pole?

spins


Which best describes earth south magnetic pole?

Moving