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the needle should point north

unless your are close to another magnetic object which could interrupt it.

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12y ago
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1mo ago

A magnetic compass points towards the Earth's magnetic north pole, which is not the same as the geographic North Pole. The variation between these two poles is known as magnetic declination.

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Q: What direction does the magnetic compass point to?
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What direction does the magnetic needle of a compass point to?

The magnetic needle of a compass points towards the Earth's magnetic North Pole.


What direction does the needle of a magnetic compass point?

The needle of a magnetic compass points towards the Earth's magnetic north pole. This allows users to determine their direction relative to the magnetic poles.


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.


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.


Does a compass use a magnetic force?

A compass does not "consume" energy as such. It just align according to the magnetic field of the Earth. One end will point North and the opposite End will point South. Note that the Geographic North and South are different from the magnetic North and South. A compass as in the simple ones with a metal pin giving direction, will always point to the Magnetic North.

Related questions

What direction does the magnetic needle of a compass point to?

The magnetic needle of a compass points towards the Earth's magnetic North Pole.


What direction does a compass neddle point?

magnetic north.


What direction does the needle of a magnetic compass point?

The needle of a magnetic compass points towards the Earth's magnetic north pole. This allows users to determine their direction relative to the magnetic poles.


Why does the compass point north in the southern hemisphere?

The Earth's magnetic field causes a compass needle to align itself with the magnetic North Pole, regardless of the hemisphere you are in. This means that the compass will point north in both the northern and southern hemispheres because of the Earth's magnetic properties.


Does the magnetic compass always point in a northern direction when placed on the earth?

No, a magnetic compass points towards the magnetic north pole, which is not always geographically north. The angle between true north and magnetic north is called magnetic declination, and it varies depending on a location on the Earth's surface.


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.


If you made another compass with the same materials would the needle point be in the same direction?

the needle points in the direction the magnetic fields wish. The gravity pulls the compass nearer and nearer the magnetic fields.


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.


What instrument is used for determining direction?

A compass. The North magnetic pole is in the direction of the N on the compass. Therefore, the North magnetic pole is in fact a magnetic field south pole since it *attracts* the north magnetic field pole of the compass magnet.


Does a compass use a magnetic force?

A compass does not "consume" energy as such. It just align according to the magnetic field of the Earth. One end will point North and the opposite End will point South. Note that the Geographic North and South are different from the magnetic North and South. A compass as in the simple ones with a metal pin giving direction, will always point to the Magnetic North.


The arrowhead of a compass always point north?

True north is the direction indicated by the Earth's axis of rotation, while magnetic north is the direction indicated by the compass needle. The arrowhead of a compass points towards magnetic north, not true north.


How does a compass determine the directions?

The term "compass direction" means a direction shown by a magnetic compass, one whose needle will be drawn to a north-south alignment. When at a location and facing a certain direction, the "compass direction" is the one at the top (front) of the moving compass rose. If a location is in that direction, it is the indicated compass direction from the current point.On a map, the direction from one point to another is indicated by the up-down and left-right line between the points, and the compass directions are indicated by a compass rose on the map.