How does magnetic force make a compass needle point north?
Quick Answer
Earth acts like a giant magnet, and a compass needle aligns with its magnetic field. The needle points toward magnetic north, not exactly geographic north.
The Full Story
A compass contains a small magnetized needle that can rotate freely. Earth’s magnetic field exerts a torque on the needle, causing it to align with the field lines. This makes the needle point roughly toward magnetic north, which is near but not the same as the geographic North Pole. The compass has been used for navigation for more than a thousand years, with early versions appearing in China. Because Earth’s magnetic field slowly changes, the difference between magnetic and geographic north also changes over time.
Key Facts
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