Why does a compass always point north?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Earth's magnetic field attracts it
Earth's magnetic field attracts it ✓ — Correct! Earth acts like a giant magnet with a magnetic field running from south to north. A compass needle is a tiny magnet that can spin freely. It aligns with Earth's magnetic field lines, with one end pointing to the magnetic north pole. Interestingly, Earth's magnetic north is near the geographic North Pole but not exactly the same!
Gravity is stronger at the poles — Wrong. Gravity pulls downward and is roughly equal everywhere on Earth's surface. A compass works due to magnetism, not gravity. The needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field.
North Star emits magnetic waves — Wrong. The North Star doesn't emit magnetic waves and doesn't influence compasses. The compass responds to Earth's own magnetic field, which is generated by molten iron in Earth's core, not by any celestial body.
More Physics in Daily Life questions
- In a warm office that already reads 26 C, which change can make people feel cooler without lowering the thermostat?
- Why might 26 C feel acceptable in a breezy naturally ventilated summer building but too warm in a sealed winter office?
- On a warm humid day, why can the same 27 C room feel much worse once you start sweating?
- Why can moving air make a 27 C room feel cooler without changing the thermometer?
- Which hidden factor can make a desk beside a cold window feel chilly even when the thermostat across the room still reads 22 C?
- In the same 22 C room, why might someone who just climbed stairs feel warm while someone sitting in a T-shirt feels chilly?