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Why doesn't magnetic North Pole align exactly with the geographic North Pole?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
The moon's orbit affects the magnetic field surrounding the earth.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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Why does a compass face geographic north?
It doesn't. They key in on the magnetic pole which is close but not exactly the same location as geographic pole
What is true north compared to magnetic north?
true north is the direction towards the Geographic north pole, the point on the globe exactly 90 degrees north of the equator, and thru which the earth's rotational axis meets the surface. Magnetic north is the direction towards the magnetic north pole which is predicted* to be located at 82.7 degrees north latitude, and 114.4 degrees west longitude (just north of Canada). Magnetic north is where a compass actually points to, so you must adjust your compass acordingly. *this is predicted because magnetic drift causes the pole to move from year to year.
What geographic pole is magnetic north?
The magnetic north is in a generally northerlydirection.
Does a compass point geographic north?
No, a compass points to magnetic north, which may not align perfectly with geographic north in certain locations due to variations in the Earth's magnetic field.
Why do magnetic compasses not point exactly?
Without magnetic metal or other magnets nearby to deflect them, magnetic compasses point exactly tothe earth's north magnetic pole. The user must be aware that the north magnetic pole is not located atthe earth's north geographic pole, and make the necessary correction in order to find the true geographicdirections from his location.
True north refers to?
the geographic north pole True North is geographic north as opposed to magnetic north. Since a compass uses magnetism to find North, the North that it finds is the magnetic North.
What is magnetic variation?
Since the Earth's magnetic poles are not located at the geographic poles, a magnetic compass doesn't point to 'true' (geographic) north. The DIFFERENCE angle between magnetic north and true north is the magnetic variation or declination where you are. It changes for different locations.
Will a compass always work?
No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.
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 many north poles are their?
2 geographic and magnetic
IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?
"IF Earth's magnetic north pole is not located at the geographic north pole why is a compass useful for determining direction?"
Is the geographic North Pole is also called the magnetic North Pole?
no, the magnetic north pole is determined by the molten iron core, and changes.
