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The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.

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Q: How does earth magnetic field affect a compass?
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What causes a compass to behave as it does?

The needle of a compass is a magnet, and the earth is also a magnet. The side of the compass marked N is attracted to the north pole of the Earth, and the side marked S is attracted to Earth's south pole. The compass will spin to line itself up with the poles it is attracted to. However, if you have other magnets nearby, the compass can spin to line itself up with those instead.


Why does a compost attract to a north magnetic and repel by the south?

OK- first, it is a compass. The needle of a compass is a magnet. It points to the Eath's Magnetic Poles- the two spots where the Earth's magnetic field comes out of the ground. In magnetism, opposites attract, likes repel.


Which layer of the earth produces its magnetic field?

The earth's outer core produces the magnetic field.


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.


How do you find the shape of a magnetic field using a compass?

Yes. I can be done using iron filings and a clear piece of plastic. Pour on the iron filings, put on the plastic, and then the magnet. The iron filings should form the shape of the magnetic field around it. If that does not work, here is a link to a picture... http://www.fi.edu/htlc/teachers/lettieri/magneticfields.jpg Hope that helps.

Related questions

How does magnetic field affect a compass?

The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.


Why does a compass spin when it is placed next to a magnet?

A compass needle is a small magnet itself. When it is placed next to a larger magnet, the magnetic field of the larger magnet interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle. This interaction causes the compass needle to align with the magnetic field of the larger magnet, causing it to spin and point in the direction of the magnetic field lines.


How does an inducted magnetic field influence the direction of a compass needle?

The conducting wire wrapped around the compass is energized creating a magnetic field that counteracts the effects of the Earth's magnetic field and changes the direction of the compass needle.


How a compass works and why it is useful?

A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.A compass has a magnet that points north, according to the Earth's magnetic field. It is useful, precisely, to find out where north is.


How yo find the magnetic field of earth at a particular place?

Using a compass is the easiest way. The needle is going to point to the Magnetic North Pole. That means that the compass needle is ALIGNED with the Magnetic Field Lines of the Earth's magnetic field at your current position.


Does water affect the magnetic field?

No it doesnt affect it. In fact there are some compasses that utilize water as a surface. If the water caused a problem with the magnetic field of the earth, it would be useless for creating a compass; it would never be correct.


What tool helps you detect earth's magnetic field?

compass


How do i use the earth's magnetic field to tell me where to go?

..get a compass?


Evidences through which you get to know that earth has magnetic field?

A compass.


How does a compass act to the relation to earth?

A magnetic compass acts in relation to the Earth by aligning a magnetised needle with the lines of the Earth's magnetic field; thus resulting in a needle which points to magnetic North.


What will affect a compass reading?

Basicly any kind of magnetic field


Does a compass work best when close to magnet?

No. Being near a magnet (or magnetic field) completely puts off the compass as the compass is influenced by it and will not align with the Earth's natural magnetic field.