0
if a bar magnet swings freely it will act like a compass.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoA compass needle aligns itself with the lines of force in earth's magnetic field.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt will line up with the Earth's magnetic field,
which in most cases we refer to as North and South.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt aligns itself to any magnetic field
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoSouth
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
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.
How does a compass determine direction?
A compass is a free-spinning magnet that will align itself to be parallel to the Earth's magnetic field lines. Since the Earth's magnetic poles are located relatively close to its geographic poles, a compass pointing to Earth's magnetic north pole also indicates the general direction of Earth's geographic north pole.
What feature of earth makes a compass needle point north?
What features of the earth makes a compass needle point north
What does a compass needle do?
It points to true north.
What is a device that has a magnetized needle that can spin freely?
A compass has a magnetized needle that can spin freely.
How does a compass needle align itself?
A compass has a needle that is magnetized. This needle is suspended so that it can rotate freely and it can align itself with any magnetic field it is exposed to.If you put a magnet close to a compass, the needle will align itself with the magnets magnetic field.It picks up the earth's magnetic field.answer 2 A magnetic compass needle aligns itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locality.It picks up the earth's magnetic field.answer 2 A magnetic compass needle aligns itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locality.
What is compass housing?
A compass housing is the frame within which a compass needle turns. The housing provides a stationary mechanical reference and also a protective enclosure within which the compass needle can pivot to align itself with the earth's magnetic field.
How does a compass needle align its self?
The compass needle is magnetic, so it aligns itself with the magnetic poles. For more information on magnetic fields, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field
What is the name of the line which a compass align?
A needle
What do the poles of a magnetized needle on a compass align themselves with?
(:magnetic field :)
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.
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.
What would a compess point to if you were at the north pole?
If you are at the North pole, the north point of the magnetic needle in the compass will tilt a little downwards, and the south pole of the compass needle will tilt upwards. If you hold the compass in a direction vertically perpendicular to the surface of the Earth, the needle will align itself like the earth's magnetic field, as if it were a huge bar magnet, the north part of the needle facing upwards.
Why does a compass needle deflect in a magnetic field?
A compass needle is lightly magnetized, and will align itself with the lines of magnetic force at your locale. *It will not necessarily point to the Poles. The South magnetic pole is currently at about 68 deg S - some long way from 90 deg.
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 cause deviation in a magnetic compass?
The compass needle will only align itself with the magnetic meridian if it is free from all other influences except the magnetic field of earth.This is rarely so, particularly on a ship which constructed on steel. The magnetism induced in the steel by the earths magnetic field causes the compass needle to deviate from the magnetic meridian, by an amount which is called the DEVIATION.
