0
The needle, or "pointer", of a compass will always point North. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
If you were in Uruguay and looked at your compass which way would the needle be pointing?
It depends which direction you're facing, it has nothing to do with where on the planet you are.WRONG ANSWER! Regardless of WHERE you are, or WHICH way you are looking, the compass needle will point to the NORTH. Not to the NORTH POLE mind you, but to the MAGNETIC NORTH, which is a little bit off from the TRUE NORTH and also MOVES a little bit every year. This is called VARIATION and depending on where you are, the TRUE NORTH may be to the right or to the left of where the compass needle points. Your reading will also be a little bit off to one side or the other, depending on which direction the needle is pointing (hey, nobody's perfect), but this is predictable and can be measured when the compass is calibrated (a process called swinging the compass). This is called COMPASS DEVIATION (don't think deviate now...) Another change may happen if you are going from West to East or viceversa AND you are accelerating or deccelerating, in which case the needle will lag. Last but not least, if you have any kind of magnetic interference near the compass, like a screwdriver with a magnetic tip, oh well then... the needle may be pointing God knows where.Northnorth because that's what way compasses point.
What is a magnetic compass?
A magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections. AA magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections.
If you are in Puerto Rico which way would your compass point?
Which way is north at the north pole?
If you are at the North pole, the north pole of the magnetic needle in the compass will tilt a little, downwards, and the south pole of the compass needle will tilt upwards. If you hold the compass in a direction vertically perpendicular to the surface of the earth, the needle will align itself like the earth's magnetic field, as if it were a huge bar magnet, the north part of the needle facing upwards.
Hw do you make a compass face the wrong way?
Hold a magnet in front of it and rotate the magnet around the compass. Then it will not point North/South.
What is an navigational tool with a needle?
A navigational tool with a needle is a compass because it helps you to navigate which is cosidered as a tool. A compass has a needle inside to point which way is north. There is your answer :)
How does a compass allow you to find your directionm?
A compass needle points north/south. Knowing those, you can usually figure out east/west.From that point, as far as knowing which way to proceed, you're on your own.
What happens to the compass needle when you place it in the wire loop when the circuit was turn on?
it point same way as magnetic field
What happens to the compass needle when you place it in the wire loop when the circuit was turned on?
it point same way as magnetic field
Does a compass point to north only in winter?
Nope. It should point that way all the time unless you put a magnet near it and cause the needle to follow that magnet.
How yo find the magnetic field of earth at a particular place?
Using a compass is the easiest way. The needle is going to point to the Magnetic North Pole. That means that the compass needle is ALIGNED with the Magnetic Field Lines of the Earth's magnetic field at your current position.
Why does a compass needle deflect in a magnetic field?
A compass needle is lightly magnetized, and will align itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locale. *It will not necessarily point to the Poles. The South magnetic pole is currently at about 68 deg S - some long way from 90 deg.
Why do compasses turn the wrong way when on metal?
The needle of a compass is a small magnet, when put too close to iron it may try to point to the metal.
How can you make a compass needle face the wrong way?
you cant really because the magnet in the compass controls and direct it the way it needs to go
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.
In what way is the earth a giant magnet?
In that it has a magnetic field - which can be detected by a compass needle.
