Why should the needle of the compass be always pointed at the North?

Answer 1

The north needle is magnetized, and is attracted to the lines of magnetic force in the earth's magnetic field. Those lines all converge on a spot NEAR the north pole, but not exactly at it. So a compass will point nearly north in most areas, and some detailed maps (like topographic maps, for example) will show 2 north arrows - one for true north, one for magnetic north.

Answer 2

Almost never. THere is specific site for the magnetic north pole but it drifts a bit. What really deflects the needle off magnetic north is local variation, which also drifts. Most maps used by geologists, navigators, etc will show how much the needle's deflection is and tell you how much it changes per year. THere are a few spots in the world where the variation is 0 degrees at any moment but drifting fields change them each year. THere are also local anomalies that affect the compass needle. ANd bad use of the compass also makes the needle point to a point other than magnetic north.

Answer 3

Why? So no matter where you are on Earth you can determine what direction you are heading in.

- OR -

How? A magnetic compass (as opposed to a gyroscopic compass) consists of a small, lightweight magnet balanced on a nearly frictionless pivot point. The magnet is generally called a needle. One end of the needle is often marked "N," for north, or colored in some way to indicate that it points toward north. On the surface, that's all there is to a compass.

Answer 4

It's not a matter that the needle SHOULD point north as much as it simply does. When using a compass we take advantage of the fact that a magnetized needle always point to the magnetic north pole of the Earth.

Answer 5

Shuniko,

The earth is actually a giant magnet with its own magnetic field, whose north end is approximately (although not exactly) where the geographic north pole is located. The compass needle is a magentized piece of metal that is carefully balanced on a pivot point, and just like any magnet in a magnetic field, the needle will align itself in the direction of the field its in.

Answer 6

The needle of the compass dont know the directions as we. Being a magnetic material it align in the direction of magnetic field, which is in North-South direction.

Answer 7

The compass needle is just a small, light magnet that is set up so it swivels easily. It thus remains parallel to the earth's magnetic field, which is aligned north-and-south.

Answer 8

It points at Magnetic North so you always know which direction is where.

Answer 9

Well that's not necessarily true, if you are at the North pole you can't get any norther.

Answer 10

magnetism