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It doesn't.
But let's start with a little background. 'True North' and 'True South' are fixed locations that coincide with the earth's axis of rotation. The earth's magnetic field exists between 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South', so-called to distinguish these locations from 'True North' and 'True South'. The locations of 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are always moving relative to the positions of 'True North' and 'True South'.
It's important to understand that 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are locations, and not the magnetic polarities of these locations!
The ends of a compass needle are named after the directions in which they point. Originally, they were called the 'north-seeking pole' and the 'south-seeking pole' respectively, because those are the directions in which they roughly pointed. Actually, they point to Magnetic North and Magnetic South, not True North or True South. By convention, these names (these days, shortened to 'north' and 'south') also define the magnetic polarities of the compass needle.
Because 'opposite poles attract', the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North must be a south pole in order to attract the north pole of a compass needle. And, of course, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic South must be a north pole in order to attract the south pole of a compass needle.
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∙ 10y ago
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Where does a compass point when it is moved close to a magnet?
That depends on which pole of the magnet it is moved close to. If it is brought close to the "South" pole of the magnet, the "North" pointer of the compass will be attracted to the magnet. If it is brought close to the "North" pole of the magnet, the "North" pointer of the compass will be repelled and will point AWAY from the magnet, while the "South" end of the compass pointer will point to the magnet.
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.
What feature of the Earth makes a compass needle point north?
What features of the earth makes a compass needle point north
Does a compass point to the geographic north pole?
No. The compass needle points toward the magnetic north pole.
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!
Does a compass use a magnetic force?
A compass does not "consume" energy as such. It just align according to the magnetic field of the Earth. One end will point North and the opposite End will point South. Note that the Geographic North and South are different from the magnetic North and South. A compass as in the simple ones with a metal pin giving direction, will always point to the Magnetic North.
Where does a compass point when it is moved close to a magnet?
That depends on which pole of the magnet it is moved close to. If it is brought close to the "South" pole of the magnet, the "North" pointer of the compass will be attracted to the magnet. If it is brought close to the "North" pole of the magnet, the "North" pointer of the compass will be repelled and will point AWAY from the magnet, while the "South" end of the compass pointer will point to the magnet.
What direction does the needle of a compass point?
One end points to magnetic north and the other end points to the south.
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 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.
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. :)
What would happen if battery terminals were braught near a compass?
The compass would point south, except near positive end of the magnet. It will point north. 6th grade power!!
Where does a compass not point north?
When standing on the Magnetic North Pole, your compass will only South!
What feature of the Earth makes a compass needle point north?
What features of the earth makes a compass needle point north
What feature of earth makes a compass needle point north?
What features of the earth makes a compass needle point north
Does a compass point geographic north?
Actually, a compass points to the magnetic north pole, not the geographic north pole.
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.
