the geographic north pole is at the top of the world. your compass points to the magnetic north pole. Not the geographic north pole. Hope this Helps
CommentIt's incorrect to describe 'Magnetic North' as a 'pole' -either in the geographic sense, or in the magnetic sense. The term is used to differentiate between it and 'True North', which isconsidered to be a 'pole' in the geographic sense.
The term, 'Magnetic North' describes a location, and has absolutely nothing to do with its magnetic polarity. The magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is actually a south pole, which is the reason it attracts the north pole of a magnet or compass needle (unlike poles attract).
First answer by Fwmh.
A compass only functions as an indicator to "Magnetic North" because the magnetic bar at the heart of the compass aligns itself to one of the lines of Earth's magnetic field.
However, consider two bar magnets, you will find that if you try to push like poles together, they will repel one another.
Thus the end of a bar magnet that actually points to Earth's northern magnetic pole is the southern pole of the bar magnet.
Thus the "north pointer" end of a compass pointer is actually the southern end of the magnet in the compass.
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Not intended to improve, but--> If you care, lol, The difference between Magnetic North and Geographic North is important if you are using a compass to navigate. For us, the difference would throw us off only 1.5 degrees, which is only significant if you are doing precise orienteering.
In Alaska and other places near the poles, North and South, the difference between Geographic North and Magnetic North is a big deal! Local maps generally contain a note and graphic showing the difference between MN and GN for the area of the map.
This answer is incorrect.
'Magnetic North' is a location, not its magnetic polarity, which is south. Thus, the end of a magnet or compass needle that points to Magnetic North has a north polarity.
Let's start by sorting out the terminology.
'True North' and 'True South' are located at opposite ends of the earth's axis of rotation. True North is located in the Arctic, and True South is located in the Antarctic.
Nearby, are two other LOCATIONS that we call 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' -so called in order to distinguish these locations from True North and True South. The locations of Magnetic North and South are not fixed, but tend, over time, to 'wander' around True North and True South.
Magnets and compass needles have two magnetic 'poles'. Originally, these were named the 'north-seeking pole' and the 'south-seeking pole' -because those were the directions in which they roughly pointed. In fact, they point to Magnetic North and Magnetic South. These days we simply call them the 'north' and 'south' poles of a magnet.
Because 'unlike poles attract', the reason the north pole of a compass or magnet points towards Magnetic North (and the south pole points towards Magnetic South), is that the LOCATION we call 'Magnetic North' must, magnetically, be a south pole.
So the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North location is a south, and the magnetic polarity of Magnetic South location is a north.
It's as simple as that!!!! No mixup! No misnaming of the poles! Any confusion is simply due to poor teachers!!!
South.
Strictly speaking, the geographic North Pole, or 'True North' as it is more-generally termed, is a location and does not have a magnetic polarity. Compass needles do not point to True North but to 'Magnetic North' which is displaced away from True North and constantly 'wanders'.
'Magnetic North' is a location or, more accurately, a direction; it is not its magnetic polarity. Because the north pole of a compass is attracted towards Magnetic North then, because 'unlike poles attract', the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is actually south.
Remember, a compass needle aligns itself with lines of magnetic flux which, by general agreement, have the direction north (polarity) to south (polarity) -that is, from Magnetic South to Magnetic North.
None actually.
The closest magnetic pole is a south pole (which attracts the north pole of compasses).
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
no, the magnetic north pole is determined by the molten iron core, and changes.
Magnetic north pole is where your compass will point. Geographic North pole is at the "top" of the globe. If you put a pole straigh thru the earth from the north pole to the south it would be a straigh line.Magnetic north and south poles can and do move because the eath's magnetic field flucuates.The geographical or 'true'' north pole is the point where the Earth's axis line touches the Earth's northernmost surface. That is somewhere in the (northern) Arctic Ocean.The location of the magnetic north (and south) pole 'travel around' over time. Today the magnetic south pole - strange as it may sound - is located in the north of Canada, the magnetic north pole in southern Antarctica.
By dancing at the north pole, idiot
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.
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
The North Magnetic and Geographic Poles are on a floating ice pack although the Magnetic North Pole can be located on a Canadian Island.
The Geographic Poles are fixed at the earth's axis of rotation. The Magnetic Poles are located within a few hundred kilometres, but wander. The magnetic polarity of Magnetic North (the location) is south, which is why it attracts the north pole of a compass needle.
The magnetic north is in a generally northerlydirection.
No. The magnetic pole wanders quite a bit - even towards the south rotational pole at times.
no, the magnetic north pole is determined by the molten iron core, and changes.
the magnetic north pole moves while the geographic north pole stays in the same place
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.
No, the magnetic pole is always on the move, which is why the magnetic variation is often printed on maps.
Magnetic north pole is where your compass will point. Geographic North pole is at the "top" of the globe. If you put a pole straigh thru the earth from the north pole to the south it would be a straigh line.Magnetic north and south poles can and do move because the eath's magnetic field flucuates.The geographical or 'true'' north pole is the point where the Earth's axis line touches the Earth's northernmost surface. That is somewhere in the (northern) Arctic Ocean.The location of the magnetic north (and south) pole 'travel around' over time. Today the magnetic south pole - strange as it may sound - is located in the north of Canada, the magnetic north pole in southern Antarctica.
By dancing at the north pole, idiot
A compass always points north as the south magnetic pole is located at the geographic north pole.