Magnetism (6)

Magnetism

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What is the earth's core made up of?

Earth's magnetic field

What is the use of compass?

• People use a compass to help them find their way around.

• A compass has a needle which is magnetised. The needle can turn round so it always points north–south.

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Why does the compass always point to the north?

The earth's magnetic field

• A compass needle points north–south because the Earth has a magnetic field. It is as if there were a giant magnet inside the Earth.

• A compass points along the lines of the Earth’s magnetic field.

• why the imaginary magnet inside the Earth is shown with a south pole at the top

Earth's magnetic field

• The opposite poles of two magnets attract. Therefore, when the red end of a magnet or compass is pointing north, it is because it is being attracted in that direction by the south end of another magnet (often coloured blue) – this is the imaginary magnet inside the Earth.