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The compass needle is attracted by the Earth's magnetic field.
The magnetized needle of a compass is attracted to the Earth's own magnetic field which has magnetic poles at the North and South.
It is still a needle, but could be referred to as a compass needle.
The painted end of the compass needle is magnetized. That magnetism is drawn toward the earth's magnetic field, which is to the north.AnswerA compass needle is a tiny magnet, with a north pole and a south pole. These poles are named after the direction in which they point, so the 'painted end' (north) of a compass needle points north because the needle aligns itself with the earth's magnetic field. Magnetic North is the name given to a location, close to True North, whose magnetic polarity is south -which is whyit attracts the north pole of the compass needle.
If you are at the North pole, the north point 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.
A magnetic compass acts in relation to the Earth by aligning a magnetised needle with the lines of the Earth's magnetic field; thus resulting in a needle which points to magnetic North.
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.
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.
The compass needle is attracted by the Earth's magnetic field.
The compass needle aligns to the Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic field is not exactly aligned with the Earth's rotation, but the magnetic south pole is close enough to the geographic north pole for the compass to be useful in most places.
The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.
The needle on a compass points to the North Magnetic Pole. CommentA compass points to Magnetic North, not to the north magnetic pole. They are two different things -the first is location, the second is magnetic polarity.
The magnetized needle of a compass is attracted to the Earth's own magnetic field which has magnetic poles at the North and South.
It is still a needle, but could be referred to as a compass needle.
Because of the Earth's Magnetic Field.
The painted end of the compass needle is magnetized. That magnetism is drawn toward the earth's magnetic field, which is to the north.AnswerA compass needle is a tiny magnet, with a north pole and a south pole. These poles are named after the direction in which they point, so the 'painted end' (north) of a compass needle points north because the needle aligns itself with the earth's magnetic field. Magnetic North is the name given to a location, close to True North, whose magnetic polarity is south -which is whyit attracts the north pole of the compass needle.
It uses a magnetic needle to point to the earth's magnetic North Pole. The only other type of compass used is a gyro-compass. This uses a wheel which rotates parallel with the earth's rotation.