Will all four letters still be in the right directions? I don't think so. I think east and west would be reversed. Why didn't anyone else ask that question?
2006-12-01 15:02:55 · 19 answers · asked by Robert S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
yes
2006-12-01 15:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right. Assuming we're dealing with the typical flat compass, East and West will be reversed, just as if you flip over a piece of paper, left and right (on the opposite side of the page) will be reversed.
Whether or not the compass will "work" is subjective. If you consider it the burden of the human to take in all available data, including the exceptional circumstance of the compass being upside-down, and arrive at his own conclusion, just using the compass as one tool, then the compass still works. If you consider it the responsibility of the compass to give the right measurement regardless of its orientation in space relative to the human, then yes, there are spatial orientations that can "trick" the compass into "not working."
2006-12-01 15:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by manna eater 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most compasses are designed to be looked down on. The needle won't 'float' and move properly on a standard compass that is held upside down. So it probably will not move properly and will not orient itself correctly.
You can get compasses designed for the ceiling of a car or other above head locations that will pivot and float properly.
You are correct that the letters will be backword on the E and W markings.
2006-12-01 15:09:20 · answer #3 · answered by Aggie80 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't be silly the only thing that will still work no matter what way you turn it is the needle pointing north ... have you got your bearings yet ... north is north west is west east is east and south is down there ....simple west is left east is right north is up south is down but if your on the ceiling ...north straight ahead west to the left east to the right and south opposite of north ....geese your confusing me now lol
2006-12-03 06:06:52 · answer #4 · answered by bobonumpty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any straight 2 pole magnet being suspended in a low friction environment is a compass...as long as the magnet is free to move, it will point to the earths magnetic north with its own north pole (align itself with the earths magnetic field) that leaves it in the design... designs of compasses are possible that allow a person to read it from any direction
2006-12-01 15:28:23 · answer #5 · answered by luckily77777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHY? IF I WAS IN A TREE LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT OF THE FOREST AND I SAID HEY HOLD THE COMPASS UP HERE WHERE I COULD SEE IT, YOUR SAYING EAST AND WEST WOULD BE REVERSED? IF WE EVER GO HIKING IM BRINGING MY OWN COMPASS.
GOD BLESS
2006-12-01 15:07:39 · answer #6 · answered by thewindowman 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one asks this question because everyone else has sufficient intelligence to figure out the answer, which is the same as if you held a map over your head.
2006-12-01 15:37:10 · answer #7 · answered by arbiter007 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No as long as the compass is still face up it will work correctly
2006-12-01 15:05:44 · answer #8 · answered by Robert B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just because it is upside down doesn't do any thing. It will still point into the right direction.
2006-12-01 15:06:36 · answer #9 · answered by quileter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if you hold it above your head, strait and not on an angle, then it would work but gluing it to the ceiling I'm not so sure you should try it. lol
2006-12-01 15:06:06 · answer #10 · answered by me_yes_me5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will work just the same so long as it is level and away from any metal.
2006-12-05 07:25:01 · answer #11 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋