A compass points north because all magnets have two poles , a north pole and a south pole, and the north pole of one magnet is attracted to the south pole of another magnet.

Where does a magnetic compass point?

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. When it comes to magnets, opposites attract.

Where does compass needle point?

The magnetic field is a zone where the force is active along imaginary lines. From the south magnetic pole to the north magnetic pole, this force has an effect on all magnetized objects, such as the needle of a compass. Under the effect of Earth's magnetic field, the needle always points toward the north magnetic pole.