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The needle in compasses is magnetic and is drawn to the Earth's magneticism in the North. When the needle is placed near a metal, as all magnets are, attracted to metals.

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Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.


A compass has a small balanced pointer that always points north-south this is because?

the compass needle is magnetized and aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field, which causes it to point north-south. This allows travelers to determine their direction accurately by observing the alignment of the compass needle with the Earth's magnetic field.


Why do people use magnetic north?

People use magnetic north as a reference point for navigation using a compass because the Earth's magnetic field causes the needle of a compass to align with the magnetic north pole. This makes it easier to determine directions when traveling.


What must be true about the polarity of a compass needle that points Northwards geographically?

'Magnetic North' is the name of a location, or a direction, and has nothing to do with the magnetic polarity of that region. In fact, its magnetic polarity is a south pole, which accounts for why it attracts the north pole of a magnet or compass (unlike poles attract).


Why compass neddle show north side always?

ACTUALLY in the north pole of the earth there is a south pole that attracts the north pole of a magnet by MRINMOY SAHA

Related Questions

Why does a compass change direction when a metal is near?

When a metal object is brought near a compass, it can disrupt the Earth's magnetic field around the compass. This disruption causes the compass needle to align itself with the new magnetic field created by the metal object, resulting in a change in direction.


What happens to the compass needle when the current in the wire is switched off?

When the current in the wire is switched off, the magnetic field around the wire collapses. This change in the magnetic field causes the compass needle to return to its original position pointing towards the Earth's magnetic north.


What happens to the compass needle when current in the wire is switched off?

It will return to pointing North.


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.


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

Because the primary purpose of a compass is to react to the magnetic field of the earth, it get affect by a nearby compass when the compass' magnetic field is stronger than that of the earth. As the magnet is moved away, the strength of its field diminishes and the compass goes back to 'normal' - pointing north.


What causes different seosons?

the direction of the earth


How do you describe how a compass needle aligns itself?

A compass needle aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field, which causes it to point towards the Earth's magnetic poles. The needle behaves like a tiny magnet, with one end pointing towards the magnetic North Pole and the other end pointing towards the magnetic South Pole.


Why does a compass needle change direction?

A compass needle changes direction because it aligns itself with the magnetic field of the Earth. The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core. This causes the needle to point towards magnetic north.


Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The direction of magnetic flux or lines of force is from north polarity to south polarity, and a compass needle will always align with that direction, wherever it is used. Since the magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is a south, a compass needle will point in that direction.


How does a compass have magnetic energy?

A compass has a magnetized needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field, which causes it to point towards the magnetic North Pole. The magnetic energy within the compass needle allows it to maintain this alignment and provide a reliable reference for determining direction.


What causes changes in wave direction?

Different density of objects


A compass has a small balanced pointer that always points north-south this is because?

the compass needle is magnetized and aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field, which causes it to point north-south. This allows travelers to determine their direction accurately by observing the alignment of the compass needle with the Earth's magnetic field.