Creating A Compass

Magnets play a crucial role in the function of a compass, with a small magnet being responsible for pointing towards the North Pole. A compass detects the Earth’s magnetic field, which consists of two poles: North and South.

In a compass, the bar magnet (often labeled N for the North Pole and S for the South Pole) responds to the Earth’s magnetic field. Since opposite poles attract, the South Pole of the magnet is drawn toward the Earth’s magnetic North Pole.

To create a DIY compass, you can use simple household items such as a bowl of water, a paper ring, and a magnetized needle. To magnetize the needle, you rub a strong magnet, like a Neodymium disc magnet, along the needle.