In what diretion dose the compass always point?

Question

East, West, North

Answer 1

North I^I

Answer 2

North

Answer 3

A compass needle always points in the direction that best aligns it with the local magnetic field.
The local magnetic field can be influenced by things including large metal objects, magnets or electrical equipment.
In the absence of such influences, the local magnetic field is created by the Earth's magnetic field and so the needle will point to towards the magnetic north pole.
As the magnetic north pole is not exactly the same location as the geographical north pole, the compass needle does not always point to true north. In most cases the difference is small, but as you approach the north pole, the compass needle may point east, west or even south! A similar effect occurs near the south pole, of course,
A final point to remember is that although compasses are normally used in the horizontal position, the local magnetic field is rarely horizontal. This means the needle tends to tilt up or down. Compasses are normally designed to minimise this effect (in some cases by delicately weighting one end of the compass needle to counteract the tilting effect for the approximate latitude in which the compass is designed to be used).

Answer 4

Magnetic North. Which isn't the same as Geographic North. In northern California, if your compass is pointing at zero (magnetic north), then it is 18 degrees off from Geographic North!

Answer 5

Magnetic north. This changes year by year and it´s present position is becoming a cause for concern for some scientists.

Answer 6

Should point north, but the compass needle can be influenced by nearby metals.

Answer 7

A compass needle will always align itself with the closest magnetic field.

Answer 8

North - South direction.
the needle is dipping downwards in the N and upwards in south.

Answer 9

magnetic north

Answer 10

magnetic north