2006-11-26 22:23:12 · 15 answers · asked by dwarren1232003 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The compass needle point would try to point to the strongest northern pole of a magnetic field. Or between them if there are two.
If the compass was in space, but still close to the earth (just outside the atmosphere) it would likely still point to the earth's northern pole.
If you took it close the sun, say, it would point there since the sun's magnetic field is many times stronger than anything else in the solar system.
On the otherhand, if you took the compass into deep space, far away from anything, i.e. infinifty, it would not point at anything in particular since there is no magnetic field close by.
2006-11-26 23:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question is insufficient because you dont say where part of space you are????.... The compass depends on magnetic force for example if you are standing in the front of earth's atmosphere, the compass will point at north.....
2006-11-27 00:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by ralphreid5 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on where in space you are, if you are on the International Space Station, i would still think a compass needle would point north because you are still being influenced by the magnetic field of the earth
2006-11-27 11:41:05 · answer #3 · answered by mcdonaldcj 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on where in space you are. The compass is affected by magnetic fields, so it would point to the stongest field or get very confused if there were lots of magnetic fields.
2006-11-26 22:25:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By default the compass in space would always point Northwards
2006-11-27 01:04:46 · answer #5 · answered by Santhosh Shiva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
toward the strongest gravitational pull from a planet, or a star, or even a natural satalite (like our moon) or if it is too weak then it would probably be affected more by the person who holds it turning the compass more than anything else
2006-11-26 22:31:44 · answer #6 · answered by drummanmatthew 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would just stay still - because there are huge magnetic fields all around it - It would be pointing towards the strongest magnetic field
2006-11-27 01:30:03 · answer #7 · answered by Siva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would direct itself towards any body exerting a magnetic field.In total space it would probably not move at all.
2006-11-26 22:26:04 · answer #8 · answered by Michael V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't it point towards the Sun, presuming you'll be in the Solar System.
But if you went farther afield, it may point towards the source of the strongest magnetic field... which may be the closest star or oject... or it may just spin around erratically!
2006-11-26 22:26:35 · answer #9 · answered by Aaron_J88 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
since there is no magenetic force the compass neddle should go in circles
2006-11-26 22:32:31 · answer #10 · answered by Brahmanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋