How the needle of a compass point towards north explained (2024)

Article media libraries that feature this video:dynamo theory, Earth, Earth’s core, geomagnetic field

Wherever you are on Earth, the magnetized needle of a compass will always point in the same direction. This occurs because of Earth's magnetism. Earth behaves like a gigantic magnet. Like a magnet, it is surrounded by a magnetic field. The magnetic field is a zone where the force is active along imaginary lines. From the south magnetic pole to the north magnetic pole, this force has an effect on all magnetized objects, such as the needle of a compass. Under the effect of Earth's magnetic field, the needle always points toward the north magnetic pole.

It is still not well understood why Earth is magnetized. According to the most common theory, the phenomenon originates in the core at Earth's center. The core is made mainly of iron and nickel. In the inner core these metals are in a solid state, while in the outer core, they are liquid and in constant motion. Under the influence of Earth's rotation, the liquid metals move in spiral currents. These motions generate Earth's magnetic field according to a principle called the dynamo effect. However, geomagneticism is still a very mysterious process. For instance, we still do not know exactly why the magnetic pole moves about 10 kilometers to the northwest every year.