0
Why does the magnetic north part of a compass needle point towards geographic north if like poles are suppose to repel?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Technically earth's northern magnetic pole is the south pole of its magnetic field. The north and south poles on normal magnets are derived from the fact that they are "north seeking" and "south seeking" respectively when made into a compass.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
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.
How can a magnet be used to find direction?
basically in a compass is a needle which is magnetic. The magnetic field of Earth attracts the north pole of the magnet (which is the needle in the compass) to the north pole of Earth. Same thing goes for the south pole of Earth
Needle on compass always points to what pole?
The magnetic poles of a compass needle are named after the directions in which they point. 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are LOCATIONS (used to distinguish them from 'True North' and 'Magnetic North'), and do NOT describe their magnetic polarities. As 'unlike poles attract', the north pole of the compass needle points towards Magnetic North, whose polarity must, therefore, be south. By extension, the polarity of Magnetic South is north.
Where are the magnetic North Pole and the geographic North Pole located?
magnetic south pole is closer to the geographic north pole..... that's why north pole of bar magnet when suspended free in air shows the north direction...
Which pole of compass needle points to a south pole of a magnet is south pole or north pole?
First of all, it's important to understand that the term, 'magnetic north', is a location and has nothing to do with its magnetic polarity. It is called 'magnetic north' to differentiate it from 'true north', because that is where a compass needle points.Originally, the 'north pole' of a magnet (and of a compass needle) was called its 'north-seeking pole' but, over time, the word 'seeking' has been dropped, and we now call it, simply, the 'north pole' -which, by general agreement, is also its magnetic polarity.Since 'unlike poles attract', this means that the magnetic polarity of the location called 'magnetic north' is actually south. Or, to be more accurate, the region deep within the earth below 'magnetic north' is of south magnetic polarity.
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.
Why does south pole of the compass always point to the north while north pole always points to the south?
Like magnetic poles repel, unlike magnetic poles attract. So the magnetic south and magnetic north of two bar magnets will attract. Therefore, though the compass needle points towards the magnetic north, it is actually the magnetic south pole of the compass needle that is pointing towards the magnetic north.
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.
Why magnetic compass is used by sailors and navigators to find the direction?
On a magnetic compass, the needle marked North points towards magnetic North, provided there is no ferrous metal nearby. Magnetic North is not the same as geographic North (North Pole). On a metal ship, the magnetic compass has to be adjusted (box the compass) to allow for the metal round the ship. By steering a compass course, allowing for drift caused by the wind and the ebbing and flooding of the tides, a ship should be able to reach a distance port, or at least be with in sight.
Which end of a freely suspended magnet will point to the south geographic pole of the earth?
No. Magnets, as compasses, points towards the magnetic pole - not the geographic. Not even this is entirely true, there are local geological variations that can upset a compass too. Or man-made things. Don't expect a compass to be particularly accurate in a car for instance. But usually magnetic pole and geographic pole are close enough for navigational purposes.
How can a magnet be used to find direction?
basically in a compass is a needle which is magnetic. The magnetic field of Earth attracts the north pole of the magnet (which is the needle in the compass) to the north pole of Earth. Same thing goes for the south pole of Earth
Where does a compass point during winter?
Compass points always towards Earth's magnetic north.
Where does the south pole a compass magnet points?
The north of the compass points to Earth's magnetic south pole, which is to the north.
What pulls the South Pole of a magnetic compass?
The south pole of a magnetic compass is pulled towards the Earth's north magnetic pole, and away from Earth's south magnetic pole. Or towards and away the corresponding poles of any other magnet. Note that Earth's NORTH magnetic pole is close to the SOUTH pole.
Needle on compass always points to what pole?
The magnetic poles of a compass needle are named after the directions in which they point. 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are LOCATIONS (used to distinguish them from 'True North' and 'Magnetic North'), and do NOT describe their magnetic polarities. As 'unlike poles attract', the north pole of the compass needle points towards Magnetic North, whose polarity must, therefore, be south. By extension, the polarity of Magnetic South is north.
How can a magnetic compass be used to find direction on the eaths surface?
The red needle on a magnetic compass points towards the planet's North magnetic pole. This gives a unique direction from which other directions can be measured.
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.
