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Compass magnets can be deflected by Earth's magnetic field or other permanent magnets.
The question a lot of people are asking is why a compass points north? The reason this is, is because there is a weak magnet in a compass, but there is a stronger magnetic field in the North Pole. The earth is filled with an iron core too which gives it the magnetic pull. You could imagine the iron core as a big magnetic bar that stretches from the South to the North Pole. You might not believe this but magnetism is the strongest force in nature! I have also learned that the bar magnet doesn't align perfectly with the north and South Pole it is actually slightly a bit off but almost exact. If you really think hard though you could think that the south end of the iron core is at the North Pole and the north side of the iron core is on the South Pole. The reason this is, is because opposites attract! The iron is in the middle of the earth which as we all know, is really hot so the iron turns into liquid. Now ,with the heat from the core and the earth rotating makes this liquid iron move with the earth . Since the liquid iron is moving around and around it makes the liquid iron into the bar magnet around the axis.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause the needle points to the magnetic pole which is south
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThey point to the North Magnetic Pole, which is not located at the North Pole.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoBecause the geographic North Pole is not located at the magnetic North Pole.
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Why compass point towards north?
The compass has a small magnet, that can move around freely. This is affected by the Earth's magnetic field. The Earth's magnetic south pole is near its geographic northpole, but not exactly so.
Do compasses always point toward geographic south?
No. A compass, being at its heart a magnet, is attuned to Earth's magnetic north, which is currently near Canada's Ellesmere Island, and moving in the direction of Russia at approximately 40 miles (65 km.) per year.For most purposes, the geographic and magnetic north poles are close enough to make little difference; but as you approach one or the other, you have to use a conversion chart to find your true location.
What direction does a compass needle point when close to north pole?
At either of the magnetic poles, the lines of force enter the planet, so the compass needle will attempt to point straight downward. Due to minor fluctuations, some compasses will spin or pivot about.Near either geographic pole, compasses will still point toward the magnetic pole, which may be north, south, east, or west of the user's position.
What is an location on earth relative to the equator?
The angle from the equator north or south to any point on Earthis the 'latitude' of that point.
All compasses point where?
A compass is a simple device which consists of a small, lightweight magnet which is balanced on a nearly frictionless pivot point. A compass will always point towards the North Pole because of the Earthâ??s magnetic field because the magnet inside the compass is drawn to that magnetic field.
Why do magnet compasses not point exactly north?
because of the earth's magnetic core
Compasses always point toward geographic south?
No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.
Why do magnetic compasses not point exactly?
Without magnetic metal or other magnets nearby to deflect them, magnetic compasses point exactly tothe earth's north magnetic pole. The user must be aware that the north magnetic pole is not located atthe earth's north geographic pole, and make the necessary correction in order to find the true geographicdirections from his location.
What direction do compasses point in the southern hemisphere?
In the Southern Hemisphere, compasses still point towards magnetic north. The difference is that magnetic north is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so compasses in the Southern Hemisphere will point in a northerly direction.
Why compass point towards north?
The compass has a small magnet, that can move around freely. This is affected by the Earth's magnetic field. The Earth's magnetic south pole is near its geographic northpole, but not exactly so.
What property do compasses use?
They use the fact that the earth acts as a giant magnet so that compasses point towards the north pole.
What makes compasses point to the North pole?
Magnetism. The compass aligns with the magnetic field of the Earth.
What would happen if the magnetic north and south poles were to switch places today?
Compasses would point south instead of north.
Do compasses always point toward geographic south?
No. A compass, being at its heart a magnet, is attuned to Earth's magnetic north, which is currently near Canada's Ellesmere Island, and moving in the direction of Russia at approximately 40 miles (65 km.) per year.For most purposes, the geographic and magnetic north poles are close enough to make little difference; but as you approach one or the other, you have to use a conversion chart to find your true location.
Is the North Pole really a magnet?
Not exactly. The magnetic North Pole is near to the true North Pole but not exactly the same point.
Does a compass point to north?
no It points to magnetic north, which is not exactly the same as true north.
What direction does a compass needle point when close to north pole?
At either of the magnetic poles, the lines of force enter the planet, so the compass needle will attempt to point straight downward. Due to minor fluctuations, some compasses will spin or pivot about.Near either geographic pole, compasses will still point toward the magnetic pole, which may be north, south, east, or west of the user's position.
