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the earth is itself a low power magnate therefore earth has a north pole and south pole therefore compass magnate turn to north pole

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11y ago
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Anonymous

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3y ago

because it is showing you where you are turning

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Anonymous

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3y ago
excellent explanation
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Anonymous

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3y ago
is this actually true 

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Anonymous

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3y ago

because it is showing where you need to go

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Q: Why does the needle of compass always turn north?
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What is a magnetic compass?

A magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections. AA magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections.


What is a magnetic needle that is free to turn?

Compass


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.


What will be deflection in compass needle of a magnet when a current carrying wire is placed over it?

The compass needle will turn until it's perpendicular to the wire, provided the current in the wire is enough to generate a magnetic field around the wire that's strong enough to swamp out the effects of the Earth's magnetic field. (That doesn't take much current.)


When In the Northern Hemisphere a magnetic compass will normally indicate a turn toward the north if?

an aircraft is accelerated while on an east or west heading.

Related questions

Which one mineral causes a compass needle to turn away from North?

Iron


What is a magnetic compass?

A magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections. AA magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections.


In a compass why must the friction be low?

The friction in a compass must be low so that the compass needle can turn freely and point to magnetic north.


How does a compass needle respond when a compass needle is placed within a magnetic field?

A compass needle, as well as everything else on Earth, is ALWAYS within a magnetic field. If the compass needle is free to turn, it will align itself with the magnetic field, and point along the north/south axis of the field. If another magnetic field source appears near the compass ... such as a current-carrying electrical conductor, or a toy magnet in somebody's pocket ... whose field strength is comparable to the Earth's, then the compass will deflect, and realign itself along the north/south axis of the SUM of the fields.


The compass needle always points to what star?

The needle of a compass can point to any star you'd like it to. Just flip and turn the compass and the needle will be in different directions, poinling to different stars. But a compass isn't anything to do with stars. Tatyana Martynova


How does a compass needle respond when a compass is places within a magnetic field?

A compass needle, as well as everything else on Earth, is ALWAYS within a magnetic field. If the compass needle is free to turn, it will align itself with the magnetic field, and point along the north/south axis of the field. If another magnetic field source appears near the compass ... such as a current-carrying electrical conductor, or a toy magnet in somebody's pocket ... whose field strength is comparable to the Earth's, then the compass will deflect, and realign itself along the north/south axis of the SUM of the fields.


How does a compass needle respond when a compass is placed within magnetic field?

A compass needle, as well as everything else on Earth, is ALWAYS within a magnetic field. If the compass needle is free to turn, it will align itself with the magnetic field, and point along the north/south axis of the field. If another magnetic field source appears near the compass ... such as a current-carrying electrical conductor, or a toy magnet in somebody's pocket ... whose field strength is comparable to the Earth's, then the compass will deflect, and realign itself along the north/south axis of the SUM of the fields.


What is a magnetic needle that is free to turn?

Compass


What is a small magnet that can turn freely and always point north?

A compass.A compass.A compass.A compass.


Does a compass needle line up perpendicular or parallel to a magnetic field?

A compass needle will align itself with a magnetic field. It will want to lie along the magnetic field lines, or lie parallel to the lines of force of the magnetic field it is interacting with.


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.


Keuffel and Esser contractor's compass Why are E and W transposed?

The reason for this is that it is a surveyor's compass with fixed sites along the north south axis and this allows easy non reversed readings of bearings. When you turn the compass siting on this axis the needle of course follows magnetic north. Align the sights with magnetic north and then turn the compass clockwise 45 degrees which should be North East or N 45 degrees E and you will see that the needle is showing the correct bearing because the East and West are reversed. Ken S.