Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A compass is a very small magnet that can freely spin around its center to show the direction of a magnetic field.
About Compasses
- A compass will point with one end towards the North Seeking Pole and the other towards the South Seeking Pole.
- The end which points to the North is called the North Seeking Pole and the one pointing to the South is the South Seeking Pole.
- Some very small compasses are used to draw the magnetic field around a magnet. These are called plotting compasses.
Examples
These compasses show the direction of the magnetic field of a bar magnet. | These compasses show the direction of Earth's magnetic field. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A compass is a very small magnet that can freely spin around its center to show the direction of a magnetic field.
About Compasses
- A compass will point with one end towards the North Seeking Pole and the other towards the South Seeking Pole.
- Then end which points to the North is called the North Seeking Pole and the one pointing to the South is the South Seeking Pole.
- Compasses show that the Earth acts like a large magnet with the North of the Earth being a South Seeking Pole.
- Some very small compasses are used to draw the magnetic field around a magnet. These are called plotting compasses.
Examples
These compasses show the direction of the magnetic field of a bar magnet. | These compasses show the direction of Earth's magnetic field. This shows that the North of the Earth is a South Seeking Pole of a magnet. |