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The compass needle is a small bar magnet balanced on a pin. It swivels freely on this balance point. This is how it can align with the magnetic field of the Earth to show what direction magnetic north is. When you introduce another magnetic field, like from a magnet in close proximity, the needle will align with these local fields since their field strength is stronger than Earth's magnetic field - locally.

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11y ago
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6mo ago

A magnetic compass reacts to a magnet because it aligns itself with the magnetic field produced by the magnet. The compass needle is itself a small magnet, and it will point towards the stronger magnetic field of the external magnet.

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Q: What causes the magnetic compass to react with a magnet?
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Why does a compass spin when it is placed next to a magnet?

Because the primary purpose of a compass is to react to the magnetic field of the earth, it get affect by a nearby compass when the compass' magnetic field is stronger than that of the earth. As the magnet is moved away, the strength of its field diminishes and the compass goes back to 'normal' - pointing north.


How a compass can be used to trace the magnetic field of the magnet?

A compass can be used to trace the magnetic field of a magnet by placing the compass near the magnet. The needle of the compass will align with the magnetic field lines, allowing you to visualize the direction of the field. By moving the compass around the magnet, you can map out the shape and direction of the magnetic field.


What happens when a compass is near a magnet?

Oh, dude, when a compass gets close to a magnet, it's like a magnetic showdown! The needle in the compass aligns with the magnetic field of the magnet, pointing towards the magnetic north pole. It's like the compass is saying, "I'm with this magnet now, sorry true north!"


Why compass react when place near a magnet?

A compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field due to its own magnetic properties. When placed near a magnet, the strong magnetic field coming from the magnet can influence the compass needle, causing it to orient itself towards the magnet instead of pointing to the north. This happens because opposite magnetic poles attract each other.


How could you change the direction in which a compass needle points using a cell and a piece of wire?

You can change the direction of a compass needle by creating a magnetic field with a current-carrying wire. By passing a current through the wire and holding it near the compass needle, you can influence the direction in which the needle points. The strength and orientation of the magnetic field generated by the wire can cause the compass needle to deflect from its original direction.

Related questions

Why does a compass spin when it is placed next to a magnet?

Because the primary purpose of a compass is to react to the magnetic field of the earth, it get affect by a nearby compass when the compass' magnetic field is stronger than that of the earth. As the magnet is moved away, the strength of its field diminishes and the compass goes back to 'normal' - pointing north.


How a compass can be used to trace the magnetic field of the magnet?

A compass can be used to trace the magnetic field of a magnet by placing the compass near the magnet. The needle of the compass will align with the magnetic field lines, allowing you to visualize the direction of the field. By moving the compass around the magnet, you can map out the shape and direction of the magnetic field.


What causes the magnet compass to react with a magnet?

a compass works by detecting the earths magnetic field. a magnet also has amagnetic field just not as big so the compass needle points at the magnet ratherthan towards north.Another AnswerThe compass needle is a small bar magnet balanced on a pin. It swivels freely on this balance point. This is how it can align with the magnetic field of the Earth to show what direction magnetic north is. When you introduce another magnetic field, like from a magnet in close proximity, the needle will align with these local fields since their field strength is stronger than Earth's magnetic field - locally.


What happens when a compass is near a magnet?

Oh, dude, when a compass gets close to a magnet, it's like a magnetic showdown! The needle in the compass aligns with the magnetic field of the magnet, pointing towards the magnetic north pole. It's like the compass is saying, "I'm with this magnet now, sorry true north!"


Does calcite react to a magnet?

No, calcite is not magnetic and does not react to a magnet because it is composed of non-magnetic calcium carbonate.


Why compass react when place near a magnet?

A compass needle aligns with the Earth's magnetic field due to its own magnetic properties. When placed near a magnet, the strong magnetic field coming from the magnet can influence the compass needle, causing it to orient itself towards the magnet instead of pointing to the north. This happens because opposite magnetic poles attract each other.


An instrument that would not be expected to react to a magnetic storm?

Compass.


How could you change the direction in which a compass needle points using a cell and a piece of wire?

You can change the direction of a compass needle by creating a magnetic field with a current-carrying wire. By passing a current through the wire and holding it near the compass needle, you can influence the direction in which the needle points. The strength and orientation of the magnetic field generated by the wire can cause the compass needle to deflect from its original direction.


Can any chemical react to a magnet?

Yes, if the substance has magnetic properties.


Why don't a normal piece of iron react like a magnet?

because the iron filings are in a magnetic field


What is the purpose of the permanent magnet in the moving coil meter?

The purpose of the permanent magnet in the moving coil meter is to measure electrical current. The coil will have a magnetic field which will react to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. Since opposite poles attract, it will cause for the coil to move.Ê


Which mineral would react to iron filling's- magnetite or graphite?

Magnetite would react to iron fillings because magnetite is a natural magnet and contains iron, while graphite is a non-magnetic form of carbon and would not react to iron fillings.