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Without magnetic metal or other magnets nearby to deflect them, magnetic compasses point exactly to
the earth's north magnetic pole. The user must be aware that the north magnetic pole is not located at
the earth's north geographic pole, and make the necessary correction in order to find the true geographic
directions from his location.

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Q: Why do magnetic compasses not point exactly?
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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.


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 makes compasses point to the North pole?

Magnetism. The compass aligns with the magnetic field of the Earth.


What is true of compasses?

Compasses are navigation tools that indicate direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles. They consist of a magnetic needle that aligns with the Earth's magnetic field to point towards the North and South poles. Compasses are reliable and do not rely on external power sources, making them useful in various outdoor activities.


How many types of compasses are there?

There are two main types: Magnetic compasses and gyro compasses.


What benefit does the magnetic field provide for people on Earth?

magnetic compasses


What would happen if the magnetic north and south poles were to switch places today?

Compasses would point south instead of north.


What is a neutral point?

The point in the magnetic field at which the horizontal components of earth's magnetic field and the magnetic field due to magnet are exactly opposite & equal is known as neutral point.


Why is important for us to have the earth's magnetic field?

For compasses.


What is a compassrose use for?

A compass rose is the name given to the face of a compass on which the points and direction names are printed. Some compasses rotate the whole compass rose, with direction read off a fixed point in the housing. Other compasses have a fixed compass rose and use a free spinning magnetic needle on a pivot to point towards magnetic north.