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a compass is a free-spinning magnet. When it interacts with the magnetic field lines of the earth, if the compass is not parellel to the field lines, it will spin. Just like a weather vane will move if it isn't parallel to the wind, the magnet will experience a force from the field lines causing the needle to move. When the needle is aligned with the field lines, it has reached an equilibrium since a deflection either to the east or west will experience a force pushing the northern half of the needle to north.

So, essentially think of the magnetic field lines as a north-south wind and the magnet as a weather vane.
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13y ago
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13y ago

(1) The compass needle is fairly free to move, since it is hung up on a tiny pin. (A similar effect can be obtained if you hang a magnet from a piece of string.) (2) The compass needle is magnetic. (3) It reacts to the magnetism of the Earth.

Please note that the Earth's magnetic south pole is close to the geographic north pole, but they don't coincide exactly. In other words, the magnetism isn't exactly aligned with the Earth's rotation, meaning that the compass is not entirely accurate.

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Q: Explain why a compass points in a north-south direction?
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How is magnet important in compass?

To indicate the direction in which the map is drawn to. Without the compass rose, you would not know which direction you are heading to, neither would you be able to navigate your way out with a compass in your hand.


Compass with east and west reversed why?

It's a direct reading compass, meaning that whatever direction you are pointed in, the needle will show your heading. Meaning that if you are facing north, the needle points north. Rotate 90 deg. to your left, and the needle now rotates clockwise 90 deg...to the letter labeled W.


A compass needle changes direction if the flow of electricity in the wire near it is reversed.?

The only way to make current flow through a compass needle is to connect a wire to each end of the needle. When you do that, the direction the needle points is completely determined by the wires, and it's no longer free to rotate. So I'd say that nothing at all interesting happens.


Which color of a compass needle points north?

The US standard is to have the Red point North (look at the rim of the compass, is the 'N' also red or outlined in red?) You should verify this, however, because many things can mess up a compass. I have one that works fine, but White points north because my 4 year old played with a large magnet next to it reversing the polarity. If all else fails, wait for sunrise or sunset. If you look towards sunrise, North is to your Left and South is to your right.


The straight-line distance and direction between two points is called?

Displacement.

Related questions

Why does a compass point in different directions?

Its ovious why a compass points in different directions. For example, if your going north, the compass points north because your going that direction. Theres also a magnet concealed in the compass. How does the compass know what direction yoiur going. Earth it self is a magnet. When you head that direction, it will point


A symbol on a compass or map that is circular with graded points for the direction is commonly known as?

A compass rose.


What are the compass points called?

Compass points are officially known as cardinal points. They are North, South, East and West. They are the general points of direction used all over the world.


What does the 'compass' tell you?

The compass indicates the direction of magnetic North, from that you can work out South, East, West and all the other points on the compass.


How does a compass determine the directions?

The term "compass direction" means a direction shown by a magnetic compass, one whose needle will be drawn to a north-south alignment. When at a location and facing a certain direction, the "compass direction" is the one at the top (front) of the moving compass rose. If a location is in that direction, it is the indicated compass direction from the current point.On a map, the direction from one point to another is indicated by the up-down and left-right line between the points, and the compass directions are indicated by a compass rose on the map.


What direction does the needle of a compass point?

One end points to magnetic north and the other end points to the south.


Where did the compass come from?

The compass rose has appeared on charts and maps since the 1300's, the term comes from the figure's compass points that represent the petals of a rose. It was first used to indicate the direction of the wind and was known as a 'wind rose'. The 32 points on the compass came from the direction of the winds.


What is a compass?

A compass is an instrument for determining direction consisting essentially of a freely suspended magnetic needle that points toward the magnetic north.


Why do people use magnetic north?

Because that's the direction a magnetic compass points to.


What is the compass used for?

it is used for you to find north. the arrow that stays in a direction points north


Why is magnetic Declination is important?

Because if you need to use your compass to figure out which direction is north,then you need to know by how much the direction the compass points is wrong,and which way. That's the magnetic declination.


How could you change the direction in which a compass needle points using a cell and a piece of wire?

The compass will react to magnetic fields, and magnetic fields are caused by currents. Therefore, holding a current-carrying wire close to the compass is enough to change the direction in which it points.The compass will react to magnetic fields, and magnetic fields are caused by currents. Therefore, holding a current-carrying wire close to the compass is enough to change the direction in which it points.The compass will react to magnetic fields, and magnetic fields are caused by currents. Therefore, holding a current-carrying wire close to the compass is enough to change the direction in which it points.The compass will react to magnetic fields, and magnetic fields are caused by currents. Therefore, holding a current-carrying wire close to the compass is enough to change the direction in which it points.