0
Here are a series of truths which answer the question: 1) A magnet, any magnet, always consists of a north pole and a south pole. 2) Opposite poles attract each other, same poles repulse each other. 3) A compass needle is a tiny magnet 4) The earth itself can be seen as one big magnet, with its magnetic south pole there at the geographical north pole Thus, the 'north pole' of you compass needle is attracted to the south pole of the planet. Which is the geographical north pole. (Here are a few disclaimers: Firstly, Geographical north and Magnetical south don't perfectly align, but its close. Some compasses even include a correcting factor. Secondly, the earth has no magnet inside it as most people know magnets. Instead, the earths core produces a magnetic field in a different way, but the end result is the same as if the planet had one big magnet inside it.)
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoCompasses point to the magnetic north pole, which is different from the geographic north pole.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
The arrowhead of a compass always point north?
nnoo
Which way does a compass needle usually point?
The needle, or "pointer", of a compass will always point North. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass
Which is the point to which a compass always points?
Type your answer here... north
Does the magnetic compass always point in a northern direction when placed on the earth?
No. The true north pole and the magnetic north pole are in different locations. The compass will point at the magnetic north pole. If you happened to be somewhere between the two north poles, the compass will point exactly backwards!
Why does a compass always point north when picked up?
Because of earth's magnetic pull
What causes a compass needle to point to geographic north?
the pole of the compass is attracted to the earths geographic north pole
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).
What way will a compass point in Uruguay?
the compass would point north because it Always points north unless you are at the north pole. :)
Where does the pointer of a compass always point?
north
Compass rose always point where?
north
What is a thing and it will always point to the north towards?
A compass.
The arrowhead of a compass always point north?
nnoo
Which way does a compass needle usually point?
The needle, or "pointer", of a compass will always point North. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass
What pole does the needle on a compass always point to?
the north pole
Which is the point to which a compass always points?
Type your answer here... north
Where does a compass point during winter?
Compass points always towards Earth's magnetic north.
Why does a compass point the way it does?
A compass point is lightly magnetised and is attracted the the magnetic north pole, so provided there are no other stronger magnets nearby the compass will always point north, and knowing where north is you can then work out all the other directions.
