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It aligns with the Earth Magnetic field. The Earth is a huge dynamo. Its center made of nickel is surrounded by molten iron and other metals this generates a complex magnetic field. It meanders. That is it varies in location. You can find a map of its' previous locations.

Alternative Answer

As the previous answer says, a compass needle will align itself with the earth's magnetic field, thus indicating 'Magnetic North'. The term 'Magnetic North' is used to differentiate this direction from 'True North', and navigators must know where Magnetic North is, relative to True North, to accurately plot a course.

Bear in mind, however, that 'Magnetic North' is a direction, and NOT a magnetic polarity. The magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is actually a south pole and, since 'unlike poles attract', it attracts the north (-seeking) end of the compass needle.

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What is a magnetic compass?

A magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections. AA magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections.


What instrument show north west east south in ship?

A ship's compass, also referred to as a magnetic compass, is the instrument that shows the cardinal directions: north, east, south, and west. The compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, allowing sailors to navigate and steer the ship in the desired direction.


What is a directional compass?

A directional compass is a navigational instrument that shows the user the cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. It typically has a magnetic needle that aligns with the Earth's magnetic field to indicate direction. Users can use a compass to orient themselves and navigate in unfamiliar terrain.


How do you use an ordinary Compass?

To use an ordinary compass, hold it flat in your palm and make sure the needle can move freely. Rotate yourself and the compass until the needle points to the north direction marked on the compass. Now you can determine the other directions (east, west, south) based on the north reading.


Where are the magnetic North Pole and the geographic North Pole located?

magnetic south pole is closer to the geographic north pole..... that's why north pole of bar magnet when suspended free in air shows the north direction...

Related Questions

Choose the best description of a magnetic field line A Magnetic field lines for a bar magnet are parallel to the magnet B A magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would?

B. A magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would align in a magnetic field.


Why the compass shows north in Telugu?

same reason it shows North anywhere. The needle of a compass is a magnet. It points to the North Magnetic Pole.


What is a magnetic compass?

A magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections. AA magnetic compass has a needle mounted in a way that allows it to turn freely. Tis needle always lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north. The needle is set over a diagram that shows east,south, and west. By knowing which way is north, a sailor can find the other diections.


Which machine shows direction?

A compass is a machine that shows direction by pointing toward the magnetic north pole.


What is the Chinese invention that shows direction?

The Chinese invention that shows direction is the compass, which was invented during the Han Dynasty in China around 206 BC. It consists of a magnetic needle that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, indicating the cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west.


The arrow on magnetic field lines shows them flowing in which direction?

The arrow on magnetic field lines shows the direction in which a north magnetic pole would be drawn if placed in the field at that point. This convention is used to represent the magnetic field direction moving from north to south.


What is an instrument for showing direction?

A compass is an instrument that shows direction by pointing towards the magnetic north pole.


Choose the best description of a magnetic field line AMagnetic field lines always point north BA magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would point CMagnetic field lines?

From that list, I'll have to go with 'B'.


Choose the best description of a magnetic field line.?

A magnetic field line shows the direction a compass needle would point.


What is the purpose of the needle on the compass?

north pole of the earth is called south pole and the south pole of the earth is callednorth pole. the compass has amagnetic needle who's south pole points towards southpole ( actual north pole) & north pole points towards the north pole ( actual south pole ).=================================Answer #2 (an attempt to actually answer the question):The magnetic compass is used for the purpose of showing the direction towardthe Earth's magnetic poles from where the compass is located. This was the onlyindication of direction available throughout most of the history of human navigation,and is still commonly used for navigation and direction finding where extreme precisionand accuracy are not required.


What instrument show north west east south in ship?

A ship's compass, also referred to as a magnetic compass, is the instrument that shows the cardinal directions: north, east, south, and west. The compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, allowing sailors to navigate and steer the ship in the desired direction.


How does a navigator work?

A compass contains a needle which shows the holder north and south when the needle turns. A compass contains a lightweight magnet and fricitionless bearing to connect with the earths magnetic field otherwise the needle cannot be turned.