north
To use a compass, first hold it flat in your hand and make sure the needle is pointing north. Then, rotate yourself and the compass together until the red end of the needle aligns with the "N" on the dial. Your direction of travel is now indicated by the direction of the compass arrow. Remember to account for declination if necessary.
The red needle on a magnetic compass points towards the planet's North magnetic pole. This gives a unique direction from which other directions can be measured.
If the needle of the compass points directly to your left, it means you are facing north. The needle of a compass always aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, with the red end pointing towards the magnetic north pole and the white (or non-red) end pointing towards the magnetic south pole.
You know that the needle points to North, so you turn the compass to bring the North point on the card beneath the needle under the point of the needle. Then the card is lined up with the Earth, so you you can read the directions on the card.
. The south magnetic pole of the compass points to Earth's north magnetic pole.
The direction of the needle will remain unchanged. This is due to magnetic forces, the needle will remain in line with the lines of magnetic force which flow between the north and south poles.
The arrows on a compass are called "compass needles." They indicate the direction of magnetic north, allowing users to orient themselves. The needle typically has one end marked, often colored red, to signify the north direction. This helps in navigation and determining bearings.
Half of the needle is painted red to indicate the direction of North. The red orienting arrow is marked on the floor of the housing. It rotates with the housing when the dial is turned. You use it to orient a compass to a map.
A directional compass works by utilizing Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. The needle of the compass is magnetized and aligns itself with the magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic North Pole. This allows users to determine which direction is north, south, east, or west.
To use a magnetic compass, hold it level in your hand and allow the needle to settle and point towards magnetic north. Make sure there are no magnetic objects nearby that could interfere with the needle. Turn your body and the compass together until the north end of the needle aligns with the north direction on the compass housing. Read the heading indicated by the direction marker to determine your orientation.
The 'north pole' of a compass is so-called because it points approximately towards the earth's True North. It actually points to a location we call 'Magnetic North' which is several hundred miles away from True North. The reason it does so is because the magnetic polarity of this location is a south pole.
A compass uses Earth's magnetic field to point towards the magnetic north pole. By aligning the compass needle with the north direction, you can determine your orientation and find other directions such as south, east, and west.