Compasses

• What does a magnetic compass contain?

  A small bar magnet
• Where is the north end of the compass magnet located?

  At the arrowhead of the compass
• What creates the Earth's magnetic field?

  Moving liquid iron in the core
• What happens if there are no nearby magnetic fields?

  The compass will point to Earth's magnetic field
• What does the compass needle align with?

  Earth's magnetic field direction
• How does the compass needle behave at the North Pole?

  It points downward towards the ground
• Where is the magnetic field of the Earth located?

  Below the geographic North Pole
• What are the components of the Earth's magnetic field?

  • Magnetic field lines
  • Rotation axis
  • Geographic poles
  • Magnetic poles
• What is the orientation of the magnetic axis compared to the geographic axis?

  They are not aligned
• What does the term "magnetic axis" refer to?

  The axis around which the magnetic field is oriented
• What is the geographic pole?

  The point where Earth's rotation axis meets the surface
• How do magnetic field lines behave?

  They emerge from the magnetic north and enter the south
• What is the significance of the magnetic field lines?

  They indicate the strength and direction of the magnetic field
• What is the relationship between the magnetic and geographic poles?

  They are located at different points
• What does the term "north geographic pole" refer to?

  The northernmost point on Earth's surface
• What is the magnetic field's effect on the compass needle?

  It causes the needle to align with the field
• How does the compass needle's behavior change near the poles?

  It points downward at the North Pole
• What is the role of the Earth's core in its magnetic field?

  The core's movement generates the magnetic field
• What is the geographic representation of the magnetic field called?

  Magnetic field lines
• How does the compass indicate direction?

  By aligning with Earth's magnetic field
• What happens to the compass needle when near another magnetic field?

  It may be deflected from true north