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If you were in Uruguay and looked at your compass which way would the needle be pointing?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
It depends which direction you're facing, it has nothing to do with where on the planet you are.
WRONG ANSWER! Regardless of WHERE you are, or WHICH way you are looking, the compass needle will point to the NORTH. Not to the NORTH POLE mind you, but to the MAGNETIC NORTH, which is a little bit off from the TRUE NORTH and also MOVES a little bit every year. This is called VARIATION and depending on where you are, the TRUE NORTH may be to the right or to the left of where the compass needle points. Your reading will also be a little bit off to one side or the other, depending on which direction the needle is pointing (hey, nobody's perfect), but this is predictable and can be measured when the compass is calibrated (a process called swinging the compass). This is called COMPASS DEVIATION (don't think deviate now...) Another change may happen if you are going from West to East or viceversa AND you are accelerating or deccelerating, in which case the needle will lag. Last but not least, if you have any kind of magnetic interference near the compass, like a screwdriver with a magnetic tip, oh well then... the needle may be pointing God knows where.
North
north because that's what way compasses point.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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When a compass pointing north will point in a different direction when placed near a piece of metal Which causes this to happen?
The magnetic field generated by the piece of metal interferes with the Earth's magnetic field, causing the compass needle to deviate from pointing north. This happens because the compass needle aligns itself with the combined magnetic field in its vicinity.
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.
What is the magnet in a compass?
The compass needle.
What direction does the needle on a compass point when a horseshoe magnet is put beside it?
The direction of the needle will remain unchanged. This is due to magnetic forces, the needle will remain in line with the lines of magnetic force which flow between the north and south poles.
What a compass needle be made from?
Answer:A compass needle can be made from any ferrous metal that can be magnetized.
The needle on a compass is always pointing to what pole?
The north pole.
If Veronica spins in a circle with the compass in her hand which force keeps the compass' needle pointing north?
The force keeping the compass needle pointing north is the Earth's magnetic field. The needle aligns with the magnetic field lines, indicating the direction of magnetic north.
What happens to the compass needle when the current in the wire is switched?
It will return to pointing North.
Can a compass needle pointing north end you up in the geographical north pole of earth?
no
Which direction you are facing at the needle of the compass you are holding points directly to your left explain?
If the needle of the compass points directly to your left, it means you are facing north. The needle of a compass always aligns with the Earth's magnetic field, with the red end pointing towards the magnetic north pole and the white (or non-red) end pointing towards the magnetic south pole.
What does force on a magnetic compass needle represent?
The force acting on a magnetic compass needle represents the Earth's magnetic field. The needle aligns itself with the magnetic field lines, pointing towards the North and South magnetic poles. This alignment allows the compass needle to indicate the direction of North.
How compass changes direction?
A compass needle aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic North Pole. When the compass is moved or rotated, the needle remains aligned with the magnetic field, causing it to change direction accordingly.
How do you describe how a compass needle aligns itself?
A compass needle aligns itself with Earth's magnetic field, which causes it to point towards the Earth's magnetic poles. The needle behaves like a tiny magnet, with one end pointing towards the magnetic North Pole and the other end pointing towards the magnetic South Pole.
How does a compess work?
the compass needle points north and just say it was pointing at the s for south it means the south is really north. the compass is held differently
What happens to the compass needle when the current in the wire is switched off?
When the current in the wire is switched off, the magnetic field around the wire collapses. This change in the magnetic field causes the compass needle to return to its original position pointing towards the Earth's magnetic north.
What do the poles of a magnetized needle on a compass align themselves with?
The poles of a magnetized needle on a compass align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic north and south poles. This alignment helps the needle to indicate the direction of north.
What happens to the compass needle when current in the wire is switched off?
It will return to pointing North.
