2006-07-28 11:33:10 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
magnetism ..
2006-07-28 11:36:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The magnet on compass is attracted to the opposite magnetic force near the rotational axis of the planet. While the force occurs near the North Pole, it isn't exactly on the axis. This is why you need to account for declination depending where on the Earth you are.
2006-07-28 18:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by Long Doggy Roy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the earth itself has a magnetic field - witch a compass can detect . polarity of the pole that is. that is why a compas doesn't work close to most metals - their magnetic fields scramble the one emited by the north pole.
2006-07-28 18:41:04 · answer #3 · answered by Milos K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The needle doesn't actually point true north but magnetic north. The needle is magnatized and thus will always point north because of the magnetic north pole.
2006-07-28 18:39:01 · answer #4 · answered by tw0cl0n3m3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the global power of chainsaws creating a loop in metal flux meaning that all compasses point north.
2006-07-28 18:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Asdfo Q 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a magnet and thats where the earths magnetic pole is. It actually points both north and south - so whichever way you want to look at it.
2006-07-28 18:36:50 · answer #6 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because of the magnetic north pole
2006-07-28 18:36:04 · answer #7 · answered by fringefan1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the north pole is magnetic.
2006-07-28 18:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by Catty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's magnetic.
2006-07-28 18:37:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's quite simple really.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/compass.htm
should explain it
2006-07-28 18:37:50 · answer #10 · answered by band geek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good answer here....
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99029.htm
2006-07-28 18:37:39 · answer #11 · answered by sarch_uk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋