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If only allowed to pivot in a horizontal plane, it would wander aimlessly. If also

allowed to deflect vertically, it would point straight down into the ground.

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Q: Which way would the needle point if you were at the magnetic north pole?
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What would a compess point to if you were at the north pole?

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.


Does the needle in a compass always point south?

One side of the needle points north. This is the one that is usually considered, so you would say that the "needle points north", but of course, the other side points south. The part that points north is usually specially marked. The magnetic compass reacts to Earth's magnetic field, which doesn't exactly coincide with Earth's rotation, so there may be some deviation, that is, it may not point exactly north.


How does the north pole of a magnet face th e north of the earth?

If the Earth's magnetic field were represented by a giant bar magnet through the poles, then the bar's magnetic south pole would be located at the Earth's north pole & vice-versa! We define magnetic north as where a compass needle's north pole points.


What is the northernmost point in the world and the southernmost?

The North Pole is the northernmost point on earth. However, the "northernmost" would depend on the definition of North Pole. The magnetic North Pole would be different from the Terrestrial North Pole.


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.

Related questions

What would a compess point to if you were at the north pole?

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.


In the southern hemisphere the north pole of a compass needle?

The north pole of a compass needle would still point point towards the north. More precisely, towards the Earth's magnetic south pole, which is close to the geographic north pole.


Does the needle in a compass always point south?

One side of the needle points north. This is the one that is usually considered, so you would say that the "needle points north", but of course, the other side points south. The part that points north is usually specially marked. The magnetic compass reacts to Earth's magnetic field, which doesn't exactly coincide with Earth's rotation, so there may be some deviation, that is, it may not point exactly north.


Why would a compass change from pointing north to south?

Perhaps you are holding it the wrong way around or you are standing near a powerful magnetic field.


Best description of a magnetic field line?

A magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would point


Choose the best description of a magnetic field line.?

A magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would point.


Choose the best description of a magnetic field line AMagnetic field lines always point north BA magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would point CMagnetic field lines?

From that list, I'll have to go with 'B'.


Why would a magnet not point north at the north pole?

As the sides repel each otherIt's already there. Where would it point to? Mind you, the north pole and the magnetic north are not the same thing, so it would actually point to magnetic north.AnswerThe earth behaves as though there were a giant bar magnet buried deep within its surface. Magnetic North is the location where the magnetic lines of force (flux) are perpendicular to the earth's surface. So, at this point, if the magnet or compass were able to, it would point vertically downwards. If it is only able to rotate horizontally, then it may just spin haphazardly.At True North, which is hundreds of miles away from Magnetic North, the magnet or compass would point towards Magnetic North.


What happens when a compass is near a magnet?

Then the compass would react according to the magnetic field of the magnet.Then the compass would react according to the magnetic field of the magnet.Then the compass would react according to the magnetic field of the magnet.Then the compass would react according to the magnetic field of the magnet.


If you made another compass with the same materials would the needle point be in the same direction?

the needle points in the direction the magnetic fields wish. The gravity pulls the compass nearer and nearer the magnetic fields.


How does a compass work using the Earth's magnetic field?

a compass has a magnetic point which points to the north pole. well yes but....a compass has a magnetic needle inside it which attracts it self to the earths magnetic field. it may not actually point to the norht pole but actually to the earths magnetic north pole


What makes the needle in a compass move?

When the needle of a compass points in a certain direction that means that the poles of earth have alined it so the point is pointing to the north pole (because earth is a magnet) so In conclusion the poles of earth are being attracted to the opposite pole of the needle because opposites attract and the needles in compasses are designed to point the "pointy" part at the north pole. (pretty smart for an 11year old). To be a little more technical, all magnets have a magnetic field going out from its North Pole and entering back in at its South Pole. When in another magnetic field, the fields will exert a force to try to align the field lines. If near a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, the field lines are distorted and exert a force between the magnet and the metal to realign the fields. Since the compass needle has a small mass, and easily spins, it is usually the object which will move.