What is the movement of a compass needle that is free to rotate in any direction as you fly from the north magnetic pole to the south magnetic pole?

Answer 1

As you fly from the north magnetic pole to the south magnetic pole, the compass needle will initially point downward at the north magnetic pole due to the steep magnetic field lines. As you move toward the equator, the needle will gradually level out to a horizontal position. Continuing further south, the needle will then begin to tilt upward as you approach the south magnetic pole, ultimately pointing more vertically upward. This behavior illustrates the transition from a downward orientation to a horizontal and then upward orientation of the compass needle in relation to the Earth's magnetic field.