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Let's start by sorting out the terminology. 'Magnetic North' is a location, so-called, to distinguish it from 'True North'. It is not the magnetic polarity of that location. Magnetic North is not a fixed location, but is always moving relative to Magnetic North which is located at the earth's axis.

A freely-suspended magnet, when it comes to rest, essentially points towards Magnetic North (it actually lies along the lines of magnetic flux that join Magnetic North and Magnetic South). For this reason, that end of a magnet (and that of a compass needle) was originally called its 'North-seeking' pole. Over time, we have dropped the word, 'seeking', and it's now simply called its 'north pole' and, by common agreement, this is also considered to be its magnetic polarity.

So, if the 'north' pole of a magnet points towards the location we call 'Magnetic North', then the magnetic polarity of that location is a south pole. This is because unlike poles attract.

So, to answer the question, the south magnetic pole of the earth is located (deep within the earth) below the location we call 'Magnetic North' in Canada.

Why people find this so confusing can only be put down to poor teaching! It is perfectly logical; there has not been any mistake in naming the poles; it's not because the polarity of compass needles have been misnamed!!! It's because people don't seem to realise that Magnetic North is a LOCATION, not a polarity!

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Why is it that the Earth's geographic north pole is actually a magnetic south pole?

The Earth's geographic north pole is actually a magnetic south pole because the Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core. This movement creates a magnetic field that aligns with the geographic north pole, causing it to act as a magnetic south pole.


Why does a compass needle point in the north and south direction?

A compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, which has a north and south pole. The north-seeking end of the magnet is attracted to the Earth's magnetic south pole, causing the needle to point north.


In the southern hemisphere the north pole of a compass needle?

The north pole of a compass needle would still point point towards the north. More precisely, towards the Earth's magnetic south pole, which is close to the geographic north pole.


Rocks that have magnetic fields that point south show?

that they were formed when Earth's magnetic field was reversed, with the magnetic north pole being near the geographic south pole. This phenomenon is known as paleomagnetism and is used to study the history of Earth's magnetic field and plate tectonics.


What are paleomagnetism and magnetic field reversals?

Paleomagnetism refers to the strength and orientation of the earth's magnetic field at some remote past time. Magnetic field reversals are recorded in deep ocean bottom materials which show that at some ancient times the earth's magnetic poles have reversed, north pole becoming south pole and south pole becoming north pole.

Related Questions

What are the polarity of earth's north and south poles?

The Earth's North Pole is a magnetic south pole and the South Pole is a magnetic north pole. This means that the North Pole of a compass needle points towards the Earth's magnetic South Pole, and vice versa.


How are the southpole and the south magnetic pole different?

The "South Pole" (and the North Pole) is the axis about which the earth rotates. The "South Magnetic Pole" has nothing to do with the South Pole other than they are located within the Antarctic Circle. All magnets have a North and South Pole, the "South Magnetic Pole" and the "North Magnetic Pole" are the opposite ends of the earth's magnetic field.


What is the South Pole's magnetic charge?

The South Pole of the Earth's magnetic field is considered to be the magnetic south pole, where the magnetic field lines point into the Earth. This is opposite to the geographic south pole, which is the point that lies at the southernmost tip of the Earth's axis of rotation.


What pulls the South Pole of a magnetic compass?

The south pole of a magnetic compass is pulled towards the Earth's north magnetic pole, and away from Earth's south magnetic pole. Or towards and away the corresponding poles of any other magnet. Note that Earth's NORTH magnetic pole is close to the SOUTH pole.


What are the three magnetic poles?

The three magnetic poles are the north magnetic pole, the south magnetic pole, and the geomagnetic pole. The north and south magnetic poles are where the Earth's magnetic field lines converge and point vertically into or out of the Earth's surface, while the geomagnetic pole is the point on the Earth's surface above the axis of the magnetic field.


Why is it that the Earth's geographic north pole is actually a magnetic south pole?

The Earth's geographic north pole is actually a magnetic south pole because the Earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of molten iron in its outer core. This movement creates a magnetic field that aligns with the geographic north pole, causing it to act as a magnetic south pole.


The south pole a compass magnet points toward?

magnetic north north pole =magnetic south


Where does the south pole a compass magnet points?

The north of the compass points to Earth's magnetic south pole, which is to the north.


The earth is meaning it has 2 poles?

The Earth has a magnetic field around it. The magnetic North is close to what we call the North Pole. The magnetic South is at the South Pole. There is a magnetic North and South and a geographic North and South pole.


Which pole of a compass magnet is attracted to Earth's magnetic north pole?

The pole of the compass that is attracted to the earth's magnetic north pole must be a south magnetic pole. But here's the thing. In the compass, the south magnetic pole of the needle is marked "N" because that end of the compass needle points to earth's magnetic north. The only way the needle can point to earth's magnetic north is if that end of the needle, the one marked with an "N" on it, is a magnetic south pole. It almost seems counter intuitive, but think it through and it will become clear.


Is the magnetic pole near the Earths true North Pole a magnetic south pole or a magnetic north pole?

Earths geographic North Pole is also currently a magnetic north pole. This is however not always the case because over geological time scales the Earth's magnetic poles flip as a result of changes of flow in Earth's molten core which produces Earth's magnetic field.


Why is a North Pole of a compass attracted to the North Pole of the Earth?

actually the north pole of our earth(considering it as a big bar magnet) is the geographic south pole.Its called so because it lies on the northern hemisphere.Actually it is the south pole of our big bar magnetAdditional AnswerThe north magnetic pole of a compass needle points to Magnetic North. "Magnetic North" is so-called to differentiate it from "True North", and has nothing whatsoever to do with its magnetic polarity. Actually, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North is a south pole which, because unlike poles attract, attracts the north pole of the compass needle.