A compass has a magnetized needle inside of it that points to magnetic north. What keeps the needle from being effected by metal around it? Is it the liquid inside?
2007-07-30 10:41:27 · 4 answers · asked by robertlash19 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
a compass will be affected by any magnetic field. the metal housing does not have a magnetic field (at least it shouldn't!). the compass will also be affected by a wire carring electrical current, speaker magnets, electric motors, and all sorts of other things if it gets too close to them.
2007-07-30 10:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by niobiumboy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the metal around the compass is magnetized, it will definitely affect the compass, causing it to read inaccurately. If the metal around the compass is not magnetized, it won't have any effect, since it creates no magnetic field.
2007-07-30 10:45:16 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A compass needle can be deflected by ferrous metal nearby. A compass sitting on a steel automobile hood, for example, is useless.
2007-07-30 10:59:40 · answer #3 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The metal is non-magentic such as steel or other alloys.
2007-07-30 10:48:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋