A compass works by detecting and responding to the Earth's natural magnetic fields. The Earth has an iron core that is part liquid and part solid crystal, due to gravitational pressure. It is believed that movement in the liquid outer core is what produces the Earth's magnetic field.
Where does a compass not work?
A magnetic compass does not point to the geographic north pole. A magnetic compass points to the earth's magnetic poles, which are not the same as earth's geographic poles. Furthermore, the magnetic pole near earth's geographic north pole is actually the south magnetic pole.
Where is a compass most effective?
When is the magnetic compass most effective?
- About midway between the magnetic poles.
- In the region of the magnetic North Pole.
- On the geographic equator.
