2006-09-24 23:20:11 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
it would have to point in one direction, or would it just spin aimlessly?
2006-09-24 23:26:17 · update #1
It would point to the strongest magnetic field to which it is exposed. Even space isn't devoid of fields.
2006-09-25 00:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would align with the local magnetic field, whichever way that points (though that could vary in 3 dimensions rather than the 2 of a traditional compass).
In most of the solar system that would be dominated by the Sun's magnetic field, unless you were very close to a planet.
In most of space there wouldn't be much of a field to move the needle - but almost everywhere will have some kind of magnetic field flowing through it, albeit extremely weak.
2006-09-24 23:27:29 · answer #2 · answered by gvih2g2 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you were anywhere near a magnetic field (and many bodies including the Sun do have them), then the north point of your [magnetic] compass (which is actually the south pole of the needle) would point at the north pole of whichever field were the strongest.
You would do best to mount your needle in a 3 dimensional gimbal because it might want to point 'up' or 'down'.
If your compass were a gyroscopic compass, then it would point in the same direction as you set it to point originally ... maybe the Earth's North Pole.
2006-09-24 23:29:29 · answer #3 · answered by Owlwings 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nowhere. The needle needs a magnetic field to line up with. On earth it lines up with he magnetic field produced by the earths core. The one that also protects us from many types of radiation from space.
2006-09-24 23:23:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the needle is magnetic and moves to line up with the ambient magnetic field, if there is one
if not, it should stay where you left it
a magnetic field can be produced by another magnet &
the Earth just happens to create a magnetic field by virtue of iron, rotation & stuff (just Google it)
2006-09-24 23:31:06 · answer #5 · answered by echo c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A complete guess - towards the nearest star or planet. Possibly, people or metal objects????
2006-09-24 23:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by Silkie1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
probably to the nearest metal object. as some one said there's no magnetic field in space. so it can't point north.
2006-09-24 23:27:26 · answer #7 · answered by rock_style 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the compass would point to magnitic north
2006-09-24 23:55:30 · answer #8 · answered by DENISE M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't point any way. (Or rather it would only point to where you placed the pointer)
2006-09-24 23:24:22 · answer #9 · answered by Phlodgeybodge 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
towards the nearest planet etc, possibly even towards you!!
2006-09-24 23:48:37 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Gravy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋