Table of Contents
What does the magnetic needle show?
A compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or compass rose, which can pivot to align itself with magnetic north.
What is a magnetic needle called?
A compass is a device that indicates direction. It is one of the most important instruments for navigation. Magnetic compasses consist of a magnetized needle that is allowed to rotate so it lines up with the Earth’s magnetic field. The ends point to what are known as magnetic north and magnetic south.
Is a needle shaped magnet that is free to turn around?
A compass is an instrument which is used to find the direction of a magnetic field. A compass consists of a small metal needle which is magnetised itself and which is free to turn in any direction.
What is a magnetic compass used for?
magnetic compass, in navigation or surveying, an instrument for determining direction on the surface of Earth by means of a magnetic pointer that aligns itself with Earth’s magnetic field.
What is deflection of magnetic needle?
MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT If a compass needle is kept in the vicinity of the current carrying wire, the needle is found to deflect in a definite direction. If the direction of current in the wire is reversed, Then the direction of deflection of the needle is reversed.
When the switch is on what happens to the magnetic needle give reason?
When a current is switched on through a wire, the wire starts behaving as a magnet. Hence, when a compass needle is placed near the given current carrying wire, it gets influenced by the magnetic effect of electric current and gets deflected from its north- south position.
What is compas needle?
The compass needle is a little steel magnet balanced upon a pivot; one end of the needle, which always bears a distinguishing mark, points approximately, but not in general exactly, to the north,’ the vertical plane through the direction of the needle being termed the magnetic meridian.
Why does a magnetic compass needle?
A compass needle points north because the north pole of the magnet inside it is attracted to the south pole of Earth’s built-in magnet. Since unlike poles attract, the thing your compass is being attracted to must be a magnetic south pole.
What is freely suspended magnet?
A freely suspended magnet always rests in the north-south direction because the magnetic south pole of the earth lies in the geographic north direction and the magnetic north pole of the earth lies in the geographical south direction.