an American made compass shows north but will it show south as north when you cross equator?
2007-06-20 05:49:00 · 7 answers · asked by brad t 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
No, it will continue to point towards the magnetic north pole (about 9 degrees from the actual north pole). The only places where compasses will fail is near the north and south magnetic poles, where the needle will attempt to point straight into or out of the ground, respectively.
2007-06-20 06:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the needle in a compass is a magnet, with the south pole of the magnetic needle painted as "North". This is because opposites attract, so, that end of the needle will go towards the north pole of the Earth. Even if you are in the southern hemisphere, the magnetic needle in the compass will still behave the same way, so it will still point to north. Hope this clears it up for you.
2007-06-20 05:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by Lee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the compass points to the North, it is also pointing South if you look at the other end of the pointer. I don't believe that would change if you change hemispheres.
2007-06-20 05:53:56 · answer #3 · answered by Kevin U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth's magnetic pole is north. The compas will point the same direction no matter where you are.
Oddly enough, earth's magnetic pole has not always been north. And one day it will be south again.
2007-06-20 05:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by Michael C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No the compass needle is magnetized to always orient itself to the magnetic field that surrounds the Earth. It will always point north because of the direction of this magnetic field.
2007-06-20 05:51:28 · answer #5 · answered by Kyle M 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
not sure]
hope this helped
2007-06-20 06:55:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it does not.
2007-06-20 11:48:20 · answer #7 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋