A compass is like a tiny magnet that loves to dance with the Earth's hidden magnetic power. Earth has a magnetic field, kind of like invisible lines that go from one end of the Earth to the other. Inside the compass, there’s a small magnet that wants to line up with those invisible lines, and that’s why it always points north!
Why It Works
The little magnet in the compass is free to move. When you put it near the Earth's magnetic field, it spins until it matches the direction of the field. That’s how a compass knows which way to go.
Examples
- A compass in your backpack always points north, even when you're hiking deep in the woods.
- If you put a magnet near a compass, it might start pointing toward the magnet instead of north.
- A compass on a boat helps sailors find their way across the ocean.
See also
- What Causes the Northern Lights?
- What Causes a Volcano to Erupt?
- How Do Birds Migrate So Far?
- How Does a Mirror Work Exactly?
- Why Does Time Seem to Fly When You're Having Fun?
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Categories: Physics · magnetism· earth science· navigation · Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.