A magnetic reversal happens in a magnetic field generated naturally in a spinning object such as the Earth or the Sun. In cases where the magnetic field is generated as a result of spin the polarity of the field (where the north and south poles are) flips on a regular periodic basis. For instance about once every 11 years on the Sun and about every 100 thousand years on the Earth. This flipping of the field is called a 'magnetic reversal' on Earth and a solar cycle on the Sun. Between flipping events the magnetic field of the body is regular or normal (but of cause in the opposite orientation each flip) but during the flipping process the field is chaotic with many minor polar regions appearing round the body (as sunspots during a solar maxima) and presumable a similar but slower thing happens on Earth (we do not know yet but it looks as though the Earth's poles may be beginning to reverse at the moment).
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During a magnetic reversal, the Earth's magnetic field flips direction, with the North and South magnetic poles switching places. In a reversed field, the magnetic poles are aligned opposite to their current positions. In a normal field, the magnetic poles are aligned as they are currently identified, with the North magnetic pole in the Northern Hemisphere and the South magnetic pole in the Southern Hemisphere.
magnetic variation
The magnetic declination in San Diego, California is approximately 12 degrees east, which means there is a 12 degree difference between true north and magnetic north in that area.
True. Declination is the angular difference between true north (the direction of the North Pole) and magnetic north (the direction a compass points towards).
In an electromagnetic wave, the phase difference between the electric and magnetic fields is 90 degrees. This means that when the electric field is at its maximum value, the magnetic field is zero, and vice versa. This relationship is essential for understanding how electromagnetic waves propagate through space.
An ordinary magnetic compass points to magnetic north, not to true north. If the difference between the two directions is large and not accounted for, you can get lost.