SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

PHYSICS AREA
MAGNETIC COMPASS
Name: ______________________________Grade Level & Section: ____________________Date: __________

A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that

shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions . Usually, a
diagram called a compass rose shows the directions north, south, east,
and west on the compass face as abbreviated initials.

When the compass is used, the rose can be aligned with the
corresponding geographic directions; for example, the "N" mark on the
rose points northward. Compasses often display markings for angles in
degrees in addition to (or sometimes instead of) the rose. North
corresponds to 0°, and the angles increase clockwise, so East is 90°
degrees, South is 180°, and West is 270°. These numbers allow the
compass to show azimuths or bearings, which are commonly stated in
this notation.

The magnetic compass is the most familiar compass type. It functions as a pointer to "magnetic north", the
local magnetic meridian, because the magnetized needle at its heart aligns itself with the horizontal
component of the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetic field exerts a torque on the needle, pulling the North
end or pole of the needle approximately toward the Earth's North magnetic pole, and pulling the other toward
the Earth's South magnetic pole. The needle is mounted on a low-friction pivot point, in better compasses
a jewel bearing, so it can turn easily. When the compass is held level, the needle turns until, after a few
seconds to allow oscillations to die out, it settles into its equilibrium orientation.

Magnetic declination or Magnetic variation is the angle on the horizontal plane between magnetic north (the
direction the north end of a compass needle points, corresponding to the direction of the Earth's magnetic
field lines) and true north (the direction along a meridian towards the geographic North Pole). This angle varies
depending on position on the Earth's surface, and changes over time.

Somewhat more formally variation is “the angle between the magnetic and geographic meridians at any place,
expressed in degrees and minutes east or west to indicate the direction of magnetic north from true north.
The angle between magnetic and grid meridians is called grid magnetic angle, or grid variation.

By convention, declination is positive when magnetic north

is east of true north and negative when it is to the west.
Isogonic lines are lines on the Earth's surface along which
the declination has the same constant value, and lines
along which the declination is zero are called agonic lines.
The lowercase Greek letter δ (delta) is frequently used as the
symbol for magnetic declination.

The term Magnetic deviation is sometimes used loosely to

mean the same as magnetic declination, but more correctly it
refers to the error in a compass reading induced by nearby
metallic objects, such as iron on board a ship or aircraft.
 MODERN COMPASS

Base Plate – A hard, flat surface located at bottom of compass. The dial is mounted on this. This is placed on
palm of hand when holding a compass.

Compass Dial – A ring with degrees 0 to 360 etched on the outer edges.

Direction of Travel Arrow – This arrow is located on front of base plate. It points to the way you will be
traveling after a bearing is set.

Orienteering Arrow – This arrow is located on floor of compass dial beneath magnetic needle. It rotates as dial
is turned. This arrow is used when aligning a compass to a map.

Magnetic Needle – A magnetized piece of medal floating in compass dial. The red end of arrow always points
north and the white end of arrow always points south.

Orienteering Lines – A series of parallel lines located on floor of compass dial. These lines are used when
aligning a compass to a map.

Ruler in Inches – This is etched into the front of base plate and is useful when measuring distances on a map.

Orienteering compass
(A liquid-filled protractor)
 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
PHYSICS AREA
MAGNETIC COMPASS
(WORKSHEET)
Name: ______________________________Grade Level & Section: ____________________Date: __________

ERASURES ARE FOREVER NOT ALLOWED!

TEST I- IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Read the given items carefully and write on the space the correct and complete answer.

____________________1. A series of parallel lines located on floor of compass dial. These lines are used when aligning a
compass to a map.

____________________ 2. It is a hard, flat surface located at bottom of compass. The dial is mounted on this. This is placed on
palm of hand when holding a compass.

____________________ 3. This is etched into the front of base plate and is useful when measuring distances on a map.

____________________ 4. It is a ring with degrees 0 to 360 etched on the outer edges.

____________________ 5. It is an arrow which is located on floor of compass dial beneath magnetic needle. It rotates as dial
is turned. This arrow is used when aligning a compass to a map.

____________________ 6. It is a magnetized piece of medal floating in compass dial. The red end of arrow always points north
and the white end of arrow always points south.

____________________ 7. It is an arrow which is located on front of base plate. It points to the way you will be traveling after
a bearing is set.

TEST II- LABELING

Directions: Label the given magnetic compass with its correct parts. Write your answer on the space
provided.