OK! So before GPS(Global Positioning System. If you don't know what that is, don't answer this ?) was created everyone used a compass. And, duh, a compass always points to the North Pole. So what happens when you get to the North Pole? Where does it point?
2007-12-26 13:27:54 · 19 answers · asked by Mallard. 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
The compass is sucked out of your hands and falls to the ground! LOL. Actually, a compass does not point to the "North Pole", it points to the magnetic north pole which is not at the same place as the rotational north pole. At lower latitudes, it's usually close enough to get you where you need to go, but there are differences that have to be accounted for when flying aircraft or sailing. So, to answer the question as stated, the compass would still point to magnetic north when you are at the North Pole. If you are at magnetic north, the needle would try to align with the earths magnetic field, which is pointing straight down, so the compass would probably tilt downward as mush as it could and might spin a little due to fluctuations in the magnetic field (which is not a constant).
2007-12-26 13:37:17 · answer #1 · answered by Patrick S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sam have a good explain about the Earth core as a magnet. I only can add three facts: 1.- A compass have two extremes. One point to the North and the second to the South 2.- The geographic poles are different than the magnetic poles. If you would be in the North Pole, the compass will point South, to an island in Canada, where is the magnetic pole (77'6N, 100'0W). Santa knows this fact. In the South you will have a similar difference. The Magnetic Pole falls in the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles away and outside the Antarctica. 3.- Sometimes the magnetic poles can 'jump' to the opposite side... the North becomes South and viceversa. The statistic frequency for this change is about 3 millions years.
2016-04-11 02:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A compass actually points to the earth's magnetic north pole (which is slightly offset from the true north pole). If you were standing at the north pole and assuming you have a very good compass, it will point towards magnetic north. If you were standing at the magnetic north pole, theoretically, the compass should be pointing downwards...... you can figure this out by comparing the earth to a giant magnet and tracing the magnetic field lines that go from pole to pole. At the poles of a magnet, you'd notice that all the lines bunch up and lead straight into the magnet. Now since a compass is restricted to pointing only in the horizontal, it would probably be pointing in random directions if at the earth's magnetic north pole.
2007-12-26 13:41:43 · answer #3 · answered by BahaZero 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were at the north magnetic pole precisely, the shape of the earth's magnetic field would be actually directed perpindicular to the earth's surface (ie, south would be straight down, and north would be straight up. The compass needle would attempt to align itself in this way, but the compass case would prevent it (but it would work, if you held the compass vertically).
It is a slight misconception to think that a compass needle just 'points north'. The correct term is that it aligns itself with the magnetic field (and if it were near a strong magnet or strong electric current, it would align itself with that field, instead of the earth's magnetic field. That is why compasses are inaccurate near powerlines.)
2007-12-26 23:42:41 · answer #4 · answered by AndrewG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It still point to the magnetic north pole, though if you put the center exactly on the magnetic north pole, the needle will probably swing around and search for the north pole until you move the compass.
2007-12-26 13:31:43 · answer #5 · answered by Larrmon 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The magnetism surrounding the Earth is what your compass reads. This magnetic field is essential for life on earth and it is generated by the molten magma at the earths core. I was watching an episode of NOVA on PBS and they state the magnetic field is losing strength and in the past has shifted poles. So someday your compass may read South rather than north.
2007-12-26 13:34:47 · answer #6 · answered by mr.answerman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It points to magnetic north and it is not at north pole, the compass becomes useless as you come closer to the magnetic pole long before north pole. even 69 N latitude compass is usually wrong.
2007-12-26 13:34:33 · answer #7 · answered by Inuk-man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are AT the North Pole, it would point 3 degrees off of true north.
True North and magnetic north are off about 3 degrees.....
2007-12-26 13:31:09 · answer #8 · answered by bakfanlin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it points to Magnetic North, which is different then the North Pole.
2007-12-26 13:30:49 · answer #9 · answered by Karce 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Magnetic North changes relative to true north.
The closer you get to the pole -- the compass begins to point towards earth.
2007-12-26 13:32:09 · answer #10 · answered by ★Greed★ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋