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The needle is always pointing with reference to the poles. When another magnetic field gets close to the pointer, the forces of thos fields collide, and the pointer moves towards the larger field.

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14y ago

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If there was a magnet beside a compass would the compass point to the north or south?

If there is a magnet beside a compass, the compass needle would be influenced by the magnetic field of the magnet rather than Earth's magnetic field. The needle would point towards the opposite pole of the magnet, so if the magnet's north pole is beside the compass, the compass needle would point towards the south.


If the labels on a magnet are missing how would you determine which pole is the north pole?

If you have a compass or a magnet with the poles marked, you can bring it near the magnet with the missing labels. The north pole on the unlabeled magnet will repel the north pole on the labeled magnet or the north pole on the compass.


How do earths magnetic properties explain how a compass works?

Earth acts like a giant bar magnet with a North and South pole, which creates a magnetic field. A compass needle is a small magnet that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field to point towards the magnetic North pole. This allows users to determine their direction by reading the compass needle.


Which pole of a compass magnet is attracted to earth's magnetic north pole?

The pole of the compass that is attracted to the earth's magnetic north pole must be a south magnetic pole. But here's the thing. In the compass, the south magnetic pole of the needle is marked "N" because that end of the compass needle points to earth's magnetic north. The only way the needle can point to earth's magnetic north is if that end of the needle, the one marked with an "N" on it, is a magnetic south pole. It almost seems counter intuitive, but think it through and it will become clear.


What causes a compass needle to point to geographic north?

A compass needle is a magnet that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, which is generated by the movement of molten iron in the planet's outer core. The needle is attracted to the magnetic north pole, which is close to but not exactly the same as the geographic North Pole.

Related Questions

What happens when a compass is brought closer to a magnet?

When a compass is brought closer to a magnet, the compass needle will align itself with the magnetic field of the magnet. This alignment occurs because the magnetic field of the compass interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet, causing the needle to point towards the magnet.


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 did Humphrey Davy notice about a wire with electricity running through it as he brought it near a compass?

Humphrey Davy noticed that when he brought a wire with electricity running through it near a compass, the needle of the compass deflected, indicating that the electric current produced a magnetic field around the wire. This discovery led to the understanding of the relationship between electricity and magnetism.


What is the magnet in a compass?

The compass needle.


What happens when a compass is brought into a magnetic field?

When a compass is brought into a magnetic field, the needle of the compass will align itself with the magnetic field lines. This is because the needle is a magnet itself and is influenced by the magnetic field of the Earth or any external magnetic field it is brought into.


Why does an compass needle move when it is brought near an electromagnet?

A compass needle is a tiny magnet that aligns with the magnetic field around it. When brought near an electromagnet, the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet affects the compass needle, causing it to align with the new magnetic field created by the electromagnet.


What is a example of a magnet?

A compass needle.


How does a bar magnet interact with a compass?

A bar magnet interacts with a compass by aligning the compass needle along the magnetic field lines of the magnet. This causes the compass needle to point towards the North Pole of the magnet, allowing the compass to indicate the direction of the magnetic field.


How far do you need to keep a magnet from a compass?

The compass needle is magnetic so if you place a magnet near the compass, the needle will change direction either attracting or reppeling.


Why does a needle of a compass move when you put a bar of metal close to it?

The compass needle is a magnet and as you have probably tried, a magnet will 'stick' to an Iron bar. Thus as you move the compass near the Iron, its magnetic field lines are bent by the Iron and become locally stronger than the field lines of the planet, deflecting the needle away from north.


Is a compass needle essentially a magnet?

Yes, a compass needle is essentially a magnet because it aligns with the Earth's magnetic field due to its magnetic properties.


What does a compass does when it detects a magnet?

The needle goes to the magnet because of the pull!!!