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Why does a compass needle point north?
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The Earth behaves as if it had a giant magnet along its axis between the North and South poles. Confusingly, the south pole of this supermagnet is near the Earth's North Pole. The pointer in a compass is a small magnet pivoted at its centre. Its north pole is attracted to the supermagnet's south pole. It is thought that the Earth's magnetism is caused by electric currents circulating in the molten iron core of the Earth. | | The earth's magnetic field extends for many miles out into space. |
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
1001
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Section:
Science and Technology
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Chapter:
Electricity and Magnetism
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