2006-12-09 15:10:42 · 7 answers · asked by ? 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Well actually it points to an area on the earth which is in Canada. the North Magnetic Pole is continually moving northwest. Its estimated 2005 position was 82.7° N 114.4° W, to the west of Ellesmere Island, the biggest of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, in Canada. During the 20th century it has moved 1100 km, and since 1970 its rate of motion has accelerated from 9 km/year to 41 km/year (2001-2003 average; see also Polar drift). If it maintains its present speed and direction it will reach Siberia in about 50 years, but it is expected to veer from its present course and slow down.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_north
2006-12-09 15:27:49 · answer #1 · answered by arnp4u 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you mean the magnetic north pole (which, as someone already said, is not exactly the same as the geographical pole), your compass would not work properly. The main problem would be that the compass needle would be attracted downward; since the compass needle cannot point straight down, it might spin erratically or stick in one place.
2006-12-09 23:26:10 · answer #2 · answered by computerguy103 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the midpoint of a compass needle was suspended from a piece of cotton instead of balanced on a needle, then at the north or south magnetic pole it would hang vertically. But if it's constrained to be horizontal like in a compass, it wouldn't point in any particular direction.
2006-12-09 23:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The north pole as shown on a map is actually not the same place as the magnetic northern pole of the earth, the magnetic one is somewhere in northern Canada, and is slowly moving. So the answer to your question depends on which spot you mean. At the geographical one it would just point southward. At the magnetic one, well, if theoretically you were exactly on it and your compass was perfect, it would be pointing in the same direction it was before u stepped on pole, assume you were holding it perfectly level.
2006-12-09 23:16:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would point to magnetic north. The magnetic north pole is actually not located at the earths north pole. It is more like in the middle of Hudson Bay. If however you are at the magnetic north pole, your compass would not function properly. The needle would not spin in place but it would not be consistent.
2006-12-09 23:15:42 · answer #5 · answered by Andy M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Coming from experience, the needle spins.
2006-12-09 23:13:26 · answer #6 · answered by Chad 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
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2006-12-09 23:18:36 · answer #7 · answered by Akasha 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋