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they're magnetically charged and therefore attracted to the North Pole

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Q: Why do the ends of a compass needle point north and south?
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Where does compass point if current is North?

If you are standing on the magnetic north pole, the needle will want to point down. If you are standing on the geographical North Pole, the needle will point South. From the North Pole, every direction is "South"!


Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.


What does the painted point of a compass always always point North?

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.


Why does a compass point North?

The magnetized needle of a compass is attracted to the Earth's own magnetic field which has magnetic poles at the North and South.


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.

Related questions

Where will a compass point if you face south?

If you point the north side of the compass away from you the compass will point south. Because the needle always points north (magnetism).


Determine the direction in which a compass needle will point when held above a wire with positive charges moving west?

The compass needle will point north-south.


Why does a compass needle point in the north and south direction?

Because of the magnetic pull of the north and south pole.


Where does compass point if current is North?

If you are standing on the magnetic north pole, the needle will want to point down. If you are standing on the geographical North Pole, the needle will point South. From the North Pole, every direction is "South"!


Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.


What does the painted point of a compass always always point North?

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.


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.


A needle on a compass always point to what pole?

The North Pole.Another AnswerA compass needle points to the location called 'Magnetic North', named to distinguish it from 'True North'. Magnetic North is several hundred miles away from True North.


What can be used for a compass?

a freely suspended magnetic needle as it will always point to the north - south direction


Why does a compass point North?

The magnetized needle of a compass is attracted to the Earth's own magnetic field which has magnetic poles at the North and South.


Where does a compass needle point point to?

if your facing north, the compass needle will point to the N on you compass, along with south (S), west (W) and east (E). also, northeast(NE), southeast(SE), northwest (NW), southwest(SW).AnswerA compass points to the location called Magnetic North.


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.