A compass points north because of Earth's magic magnet. Inside the compass, there is a little magnet that spins freely. Earth acts like a giant magnet too, its north pole attracts the south end of the compass’s magnet, and that makes it point toward the top of the world.
Examples
- A compass points north even if you're on a boat in the middle of an ocean.
- A compass works inside your phone when you use maps while walking.
- You can follow a compass in the woods to find your way back home.
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See also
- What Causes the Northern Lights?
- How Does a Mirror Work Exactly?
- How Does Gravity Affect the Moon’s Orbit?
- What Causes a ‘Golden’ Sunset or Sunrise?
- How Does Gravity Affect Space Travel?
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Categories: Physics · magnetism,earth science,navigation