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The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.

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Q: How does earth magnetic field affect a compass?
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What causes a compass to behave as it does?

The needle of a compass is a magnet, and the earth is also a magnet. The side of the compass marked N is attracted to the north pole of the Earth, and the side marked S is attracted to Earth's south pole. The compass will spin to line itself up with the poles it is attracted to. However, if you have other magnets nearby, the compass can spin to line itself up with those instead.


Why does a compost attract to a north magnetic and repel by the south?

OK- first, it is a compass. The needle of a compass is a magnet. It points to the Eath's Magnetic Poles- the two spots where the Earth's magnetic field comes out of the ground. In magnetism, opposites attract, likes repel.


A compass needle changes direction if the flow of electricity in the wire near it is reversed.?

The only way to make current flow through a compass needle is to connect a wire to each end of the needle. When you do that, the direction the needle points is completely determined by the wires, and it's no longer free to rotate. So I'd say that nothing at all interesting happens.


Which layer of the earth produces its magnetic field?

The earth's outer core produces the magnetic field.


How do you find the shape of a magnetic field using a compass?

Yes. I can be done using iron filings and a clear piece of plastic. Pour on the iron filings, put on the plastic, and then the magnet. The iron filings should form the shape of the magnetic field around it. If that does not work, here is a link to a picture... http://www.fi.edu/htlc/teachers/lettieri/magneticfields.jpg Hope that helps.

Related questions

How does earth's magnetic field affect the compass?

Earth's magnetic field is what allows a compass to align itself with the magnetic poles, causing the needle to point north. The magnetic field provides a reference point for navigation, helping people determine their direction relative to the Earth's magnetic field. Any changes or disturbances in the magnetic field can affect the accuracy of a compass reading.


How does magnetic field affect a compass?

The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.


Why does a compass spin when it is placed next to a magnet?

Because the primary purpose of a compass is to react to the magnetic field of the earth, it get affect by a nearby compass when the compass' magnetic field is stronger than that of the earth. As the magnet is moved away, the strength of its field diminishes and the compass goes back to 'normal' - pointing north.


What happens when a compass is brought into a magnetic field?

When a compass is brought into a magnetic field, the needle of the compass will align itself with the magnetic field lines. This is because the needle is a magnet itself and is influenced by the magnetic field of the Earth or any external magnetic field it is brought into.


Is a compass affected by the earths magnetic field?

Yes, a compass works by aligning itself with the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. The needle in a compass is magnetized and will point towards the Earth's magnetic north pole.


What kind of energy does a compass use?

A compass does not use energy to function, as it relies on Earth's magnetic field for its operation. The needle in a compass aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic North Pole.


How does an inducted magnetic field influence the direction of a compass needle?

An induced magnetic field can influence the direction of a compass needle by causing it to align along the magnetic field lines produced by the induced field. This alignment happens due to the interaction between the existing magnetic field of the compass needle and the induced magnetic field. The compass needle will point in the direction of the resultant magnetic field created by the combination of the Earth's magnetic field and the induced field.


Which metals do not effect a compass?

Metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and gold do not affect a compass because they are not magnetic. The compass needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field, so nonmagnetic metals do not interfere with its functionality.


What is the function of the earth induction compass?

An Earth induction compass uses the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. It employs a coil that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field to provide an accurate indication of north.


Why does a compass always work?

A compass works by aligning itself with the Earth's magnetic field. The needle of the compass is magnetized, pointing towards the magnetic north pole. As long as the Earth's magnetic field remains stable and the compass is not influenced by nearby magnetic objects, it will always point north.


How does a compass needle respond when a compass is Place with in a magnetic field?

If a magnetic compass needle is placed in a magnetic Field , its needle deflects and points in the north and south directions


Why does a compass point North?

A compass points north because of the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetic field exerts a force on the needle of a compass, aligning it with the magnetic north pole, which is close to the geographic North Pole.