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A compass indicates magnetic north and magnetic south, not true north and true south. Magnetic north is the direction a compass needle points, aligning with the Earth's magnetic field, which is influenced by various geological and environmental factors. True north, on the other hand, refers to the direction along the Earth's surface towards the North Pole. To find true north, adjustments must be made to account for magnetic declination, the angle difference between magnetic north and true north.

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1w ago

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What In the Northern Hemisphere the magnetic compass will normally indicate a turn toward the south when?

the aircraft is decelerated while on a west heading.


Which of following is true of compasses?

A compass has both a south pole and a north pole :)


What compass bearing is south?

The definition of a true compass bearing - A true bearing is measured in relation to the fixed horizontal reference plane of True North, that is using the direction towards the geographic North Pole as a reference point.


Why does the north end of a compass point north?

It doesn't.But let's start with a little background. 'True North' and 'True South' are fixed locations that coincide with the earth's axis of rotation. The earth's magnetic field exists between 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South', so-called to distinguish these locations from 'True North' and 'True South'. The locations of 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are always moving relative to the positions of 'True North' and 'True South'.It's important to understand that 'Magnetic North' and 'Magnetic South' are locations, and not the magnetic polarities of these locations!The ends of a compass needle are named after the directions in which they point. Originally, they were called the 'north-seeking pole' and the 'south-seeking pole' respectively, because those are the directions in which they roughly pointed. Actually, they point to Magnetic North and Magnetic South, not True North or True South. By convention, these names (these days, shortened to 'north' and 'south') also define the magnetic polarities of the compass needle.Because 'opposite poles attract', the magnetic polarity of Magnetic North must be a south pole in order to attract the north pole of a compass needle. And, of course, the magnetic polarity of Magnetic South must be a north pole in order to attract the south pole of a compass needle.


A needle on a compass always point to what pole?

The North Pole.Another AnswerA compass needle points to the location called 'Magnetic North', named to distinguish it from 'True North'. Magnetic North is several hundred miles away from True North.


Why does the portable sundial need a compass?

The compass on a portable sundial helps the user align the sundial accurately north-south, which is crucial for it to give accurate time readings based on the sun's position. By pointing the sundial's gnomon (the part that casts a shadow) towards true north using the compass, the sundial can accurately indicate the time.


Is there anywhere on earth a compass will not work?

Yes, at the magnetic poles (North and South) a compass needle will not point to the true north, rather it will point vertically downwards or upwards. This is because the magnetic field lines converge at the poles.


The arrowhead of a compass always point north?

True north is the direction indicated by the Earth's axis of rotation, while magnetic north is the direction indicated by the compass needle. The arrowhead of a compass points towards magnetic north, not true north.


How do you align your compass to true north?

All compasses point to magnetic north, except when at the North or South Poles. Then the compass can do crazy things. Truth north can be found by placing your compass so the finger points along the N line on your map. Holding the compass in that position, turn your map so that the finger is aligned along the degree line on your map. You can tell the North Line as it is aligned with the edge of the map. The other line is your True North according to your position for your particular area.


Why do magnetic compasses giver false reading?

Because compasses have better things to do.


What is true compasses?

They only point to the Magnetic NorthA compass is a permanent magnentA compass is a permanent magnet. A compass has both a south pole and a north pole. Compass magnets can be deflected by Earth's magnetic field or other permanent magnets.


Does gps indicate true north or magnetic north?

True North