Magnetic North pole lies where Geographic South pole does(16 degrees I guess) and vice-versa... Then why is it said that one must not sleep with head pointing towards North? It should be South??????????
2007-08-01 22:53:20 · 3 answers · asked by Arvind 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I think you have your geographic poles mixed up. Magnetic and geographical North are about 16 degrees apart, the same with the South magnetic and geographical poles.
As far as not sleeping with your head pointed North, as I remember that was a "urban legend", debunked long ago.
2007-08-01 22:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Foxfire 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just to clarify foxfire.
that separation depends on where on earth u are taking the reading. It is called "magnetic declination" and is listed on all navigation maps on a compass rosette.
also listed is the reference date, since the declination for a given location changes over time due to the movement of "true north". this is caused by the precession of the earth.
To complicate this even further:
In Montreal the declination is 16°W. BUT the compass does not point to the actual magnetic north loadstone. There is a +6° error due to the complex Earth's magnetic fields.
Fortunately, for navigation purposes this is irrelevant.
2007-08-02 03:12:08 · answer #2 · answered by Bill R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The belief may have had roots somewhere but it probably predated such detailed understanding of magnetism.
I believe in that too. But so far have not stumbled upon a proper justification
2007-08-02 07:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by amit t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋