how large is the area(sq.mi. or acres) at the north and/or south poles where a compass won't work?

Answer 1

Hard to say. It is a relative thing. Compasses are pretty useless beyond about 60 degrees N or S. That's lots of area. But part of the reason is also because it doesn't point at true north, it points at magnetic north, which is located in the Canadian Arctic. As you approach the magnetic pole the compass will want to point downwards into the ground.

The answer to your question in square miles would roughly be in the hundreds maybe even thousands. But that is all very barren land and hardly anybody needs to navigate there. Arctic expeditioners use alternative navigational systems.

Answer 2

This question is a tricky one to answer.

Keep in mind that there are two sets of poles. There's the geographic pole, which are located at 90 degrees latitude, and the magnetic poles, which are askew. In 2005, for example, the north magnetic pole was located at 82°07′N 114°04′W. This location shifts annually.

At the geographic North Pole, one's compass would point north towards the magnetic pole. Near the magnetic pole, one's compass will deviate significantly from true north.

Fortunately, there are known figures for this deviation, called the magnetic declination. Maps exist which show how compasses deviate from true north, and how to compensate. So, in reality, the only places where a compass is ineffective are on top of the poles.

In addition, there's another phenomenon known as magnetic deviation, which is due to local magnetic sources (such as motors, computers, radios, sufficiently large chunks of ferrous materials, etc.) Experienced navigators know how to correct their bearings to account for these phenomena as well.

Answer 3

At the magnetic poles
If L is the length of the compass needle,
(pi*L^2)/4

Only on the great circle passing through both poles will a compass point toward both North poles or both South poles.

Answer 4

within 10 degrees of the poles there will be magnetic confusion.

Answer 5

only as large as the compass' size.... and it would have to be dead center above the axis point.

Answer 6

Please correct your question..