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The compass needle aligns to the Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic field is not exactly aligned with the Earth's rotation, but the magnetic south pole is close enough to the geographic north pole for the compass to be useful in most places.

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15y ago

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What causes a compass needle to point to geographic north?

A compass needle is a magnet that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, which is generated by the movement of molten iron in the planet's outer core. The needle is attracted to the magnetic north pole, which is close to but not exactly the same as the geographic North Pole.


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.


Which one mineral causes a compass needle to turn away from North?

Iron is the mineral that causes a compass needle to turn away from North because it disrupts the Earth's magnetic field. The iron in the mineral is attracted to the Earth's magnetic field, causing the needle to align with it.


The south pole of the compass needle will be attracted to earths?

North pole. The north pole of a compass needle has "S" on it, and the south pole of the needle has "N" on it. Opposites attract, similar poles repel.


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.


What feature of the Earth makes a compass needle point north?

What features of the earth makes a compass needle 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.


Does a compass change directions South of the equator?

Yes, a compass needle will point south of the equator instead of north. The Earth's magnetic field causes the needle to align itself with the magnetic poles, so the compass will indicate south instead of north in the southern hemisphere.


Is a compass affected by the earths magnetic field?

Yes, a compass works by aligning itself with the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. The needle in a compass is magnetized and will point towards the Earth's magnetic north pole.


What pole does a needle on compass point to?

A compass needle points toward the Earth's magnetic north pole. This is due to the magnetic properties of the Earth, which causes the needle, which is a small magnet, to align itself with the Earth's magnetic field. It's important to note that the magnetic north pole is not the same as the geographic North Pole.


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 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.