answersLogoWhite

0

There won't be any (much) net magnetic field inside the metal container. The external field (eg. from the earth) will induce a magnetic dipole in the metal of the container. Insider the container, the external and induced fields will approximately cancel out.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How do you prevent undue magnetic influences on a compass?

Preventing other magnetic fields from affecting a compass is difficult, because the earth's magnetic field is relatively weak. Just in the home there are many things that can influence a compass, from the electrical wiring to the loudspeakers of a hi-fi. The best way to avoid these influences is simply to keep the compass far enough away from them. However, a magnetic shield can be built by simply housing the compass in a hollow iron container, but this will obviously also shield the compass from the earth's magnetic field.


What happens when a magnetic compass is held in space far away from earth's magnetic field....will it be influenced by the other stellar objects which may or may not have magnetic poles of their own?

How far away? Compasses function based on their interaction with the Earth's magnetic field. If a person were to take a compass outside of that field, it would cease to provide any relevant information. Of course, no human has ever been anywhere near that far away, but interplanetary robots and probes have.


Can magnetic field lines be detected by a compass?

The magnetic field can certainly be detected by a compass.The 'lines' are a handy human invention, and don't really exist, so you could not,say, trace out the lines with a compass, because they're not there.But place a compass next to a wire that's involved in any battery-operated (DC)circuit, and the compass absolutely goes crazy !


Why may the presence of nearby iron or steel materials make the reading of a compass incorrect?

The presence of nearby iron or steel materials can interfere with a compass reading because these materials generate their own magnetic fields or can distort the Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic interference can cause the compass needle, which aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, to point in a different direction than true north. As a result, the compass may provide inaccurate directional information, leading to navigation errors.


Is there ever a time when your compass will not point north?

Your compass will always point to the earth's north magnetic pole. That spot is about 940 miles from the real north Pole. Your compass only points to real north if you happen to be on the extension of the line that joins the two spots. Anywhere else, your compass points to one side or the other of the real north Pole.

Related Questions

Instruments with magnetic fields ega compass should be stored in containers made of steel or iron?

Steel since magnets attract iron.


Will a compass always work?

No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.No. I assume you mean a magnetic compass. A magnetic compass reacts to magnetic fields; the magnetic south pole of Earth is not exactly at the geographic north pole, so at some points of the Earth's surface, the magnetic compass will actually point south instead of north. Also, a magnetic compass will be influenced by other magnetic fields, e.g., current-carrying wires.


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.


How do scientists detect the presence of magnetic fields if they are invisible?

Scientists detect the presence of magnetic fields using instruments called magnetometers, which can measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. These instruments can detect the effects of magnetic fields on nearby objects or particles, allowing scientists to indirectly observe and study them.


If you made another compass with the same materials would the needle point be in the same direction?

the needle points in the direction the magnetic fields wish. The gravity pulls the compass nearer and nearer the magnetic fields.


How does a compass needle align its self?

The compass needle is magnetic, so it aligns itself with the magnetic poles. For more information on magnetic fields, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field


Does a radio alter a compass reading?

The pointer on a compass is magnetic. The speakers and transformers a radio put out magnetic fields that WILL deflect the direction that the pointer points. - wjs1632 -


Why is a compass called instrument?

A compass is called an instrument because it is a tool designed for a specific purpose—in this case, to determine direction. Instruments are typically defined as devices that aid in measurement or navigation, and a compass utilizes magnetic fields to provide accurate directional information. Its functionality and precision categorize it as an essential navigational instrument in fields like geography, aviation, and maritime activities.


What characteristic of iron would make it a bad material for housing a compass?

It is magnetic and would throw off your little dial


How do you prevent undue magnetic influences on a compass?

Preventing other magnetic fields from affecting a compass is difficult, because the earth's magnetic field is relatively weak. Just in the home there are many things that can influence a compass, from the electrical wiring to the loudspeakers of a hi-fi. The best way to avoid these influences is simply to keep the compass far enough away from them. However, a magnetic shield can be built by simply housing the compass in a hollow iron container, but this will obviously also shield the compass from the earth's magnetic field.


How could magnetic rocks affect a compass and why?

In a regular magnetic compass, the needle is a magnet. One end is the south pole and the other end is the north pole. Magnets are affected by other magnets. If a magnet is placed near a magnetic compass, the north pole of the compass's needle is attracted by the south pole of the magnet, and the south pole of the compass's needle is attracted by the north pole of the magnet.


What do you have to add to a compass to make it in line with the earths magnetic field?

Nothing. That's exactly what a compass does ... as long as it's free to turn, and there are no ferrous metals or other sources of magnetic fields nearby.