2006-09-24 03:33:01 · 23 answers · asked by sharon c 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
magnetic compass
(DOD, NATO) An instrument containing a freely suspended magnetic element which displays the direction of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field at the point of observation.
2006-09-24 04:04:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnetism.
If you take a magnet and pass it near metal, like sewing needles, the needles will move. Certain metals are attracted to magnetism.
Same thing with the metal pointer in a compass. Because the pointer is metal, it is attracted to swing around on its hub and point in the direction of the big magnet the Earth has.
That magnet is called the magnetic North Pole because it lies near the real North Pole. So when the pointer in the compass is attracted by the Earth's magnet, it is moved to point in a more or less northerly direction.
Earth has a magnetic North Pole because the Earth has a melted core of metal deep inside it. That core rotates around and that motion creates the magnetism.
Because the core is melted metal, it sloshes around a bit like any liquid would; so the magnetic North Pole moves around too. Bottom line, magnetic North Pole isn't always very close to the real North Pole. So we often need to make corrections to magnetic north, given by the compass, to find out where the real north is.
2006-09-24 10:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The compass needle itself is a magnet. And it is being attracted to the earth.The Earth itself is a very weak magnet, with its north pole at the North Pole, and its south pole at the South Pole. Pretty easy to remember that way. So the compass needle is attracted to the north pole and will move towards it.
Consider any 2 magnets. South pole of 1 will attract North pole of 2 and vice versa. And so.............
...........sometimes compasses don't work! Put a magnet next to one and watch it go crazy. That's because the pull of the magnet is stronger than the pull of the Earth's magnetic force, so the needle isn't drawn north anymore, but to the nearby magnet.
do you know, that scientists say that after a long period of time the polarity of earth will change ( i.e. the existing north pole will become the south pole.!) and so even magnets will point in the opposite direction!
2006-09-24 10:55:59 · answer #3 · answered by GodLuvsU:)) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, not an expert by any stretch, but the answers you are getting are more geared towards people with scientific backgrounds, I think.
So here's my attempt:
Magnetic north, as periviously stated, is very close to the geographic north pole. I think this has something to do with an electromagnetic field. Magnets have, as you know, opposing foces - one attracts and one repels. If placed on a spinner - something that doesn't offer resistance and allows the magnet to go where it is naturally inclined to go, the magnet will pull towards magnetic north.
Please, if I am incorrect, someone point this out!! (I know you will... I'm just acknowledging the strong possibility!)
2006-09-24 10:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The earth's magnetic field can be imagined ('cos you can't see it) as many magnetic force lines running roughly north/south between the north and south poles. A compass needle, which is magnetised, is affected by these force lines so that it lines up with them. As a result, the one end of the needle points north, the other end south.
There are other things, but they would complicate the explanation.
2006-09-24 10:41:20 · answer #5 · answered by migdalski 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The metal needle mounted so as to be free to rotate is attracted to the Earth's magnetic North pole. Turning the entire compass so that the needle-point is in line with North on the case shows the direction of Magnetic North, which is close enough to Geographic North to make virtually no difference. Once you know where North is, the rest falls into place.
2006-09-24 10:39:32 · answer #6 · answered by artleyb 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the earths core is like a big magnet, the metal that a magnet is made from ,if marked and balanced on a surface that will spin, will show north because it is the last point of movement of the magnet,think is starts at the south and moves to the north due to strenght of magnetic field
2006-09-24 17:15:53 · answer #7 · answered by John H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The needle is magnetised and sits on a pivot. The South end is attracted to the North pole and vice versa.
2006-09-24 11:11:45 · answer #8 · answered by Katri-Mills 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnetic fields. The needle will always point to north, the strongest magnetic pull.
2006-09-24 10:43:49 · answer #9 · answered by acenumm1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the world has a magnetic field and the compass, witch is a magnet homes in on the magnetic Field
2006-09-24 10:42:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋