GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A magnetic compass works because the Earth is like a very big magnet and surrounded by a huge magnetic field. The Earth has two magnetic poles near the North and South poles. This magnetic field of the Earth causes a magnetized ‘needle’ of iron or steel to swing freely into a north-south position.

Detailed explanation-2: -Since Earth is a magnet, a compass will normally line up with Earth’s magnetic field. Because opposite magnetic poles attract, the magnetic north pole of the compass points toward the magnetic south pole of the Earth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Earth is similar to a giant bar magnet with magnetic field lines radiating from the south to the north magnetic pole. Charged particles become trapped on these field lines, forming the Earth’s magnetosphere. Magnetic field lines generated by the Earth’s internal magnetic field, and the orientation of the field.

Detailed explanation-4: -If you place a compass near the north pole of a magnet, the north pole of the compass needle will be repelled and point away from the magnet. Thus, the magnetic field lines point away from the north pole of a magnet and toward its south pole.

Detailed explanation-5: -Believe it or not, that’s the way it is. Earth’s south magnetic pole is near Earth’s geographic north. Earth’s magnetic north pole is near Earth’s geographic south. That’s why the north pole of a compass points toward north because that’s where Earth’s south magnetic pole is located and they attract.