How to Make a Compass and How It Works
With a few simple items you can find out where North is. It’s time to make a compass and learn about the science behind it...
What is a Compass?
A compass is a directional tool that is used for navigation.
About the Compass Rose…
On a compass you buy from the shop you will see letters on the face of the compass known as the compass rose, the main letters are N.E.S.W. which stands for North, East, South and West. You can remember the order of your compass rose by remembering “Never Eat Soggy Weetbix”.
Remember that you always read a compass in a clockwise direction.
Did you know…
Not many people realise that there are two Norths.
True North
The ‘True North’ is our geographic north, this is the North Pole and our True South or Geographic South is the South Pole.Magnetic North
Inside our earth are metals that act like a giant magnet, this is good because the magnetic field it creates protects us from radiation. Our earth is effectively a giant magnet, and so the magnetic needle of the compass is designed to align with the earth’s magnetic field. Because all magnets have a north and a south end, and opposites always attract, the north end of a compass needle will be attracted to the South Magnetic pole which lies close to the geographic North Pole.
What you need…
Strong magnet
Sewing needle
Cork
Bowl (we found bigger was better)
Water
Blu-tack
What to do…
Fill the bowl with water
Get an adult to help you cut one flat round off the end of the cork (or use paper, a sponge or a bottle top)
Magnetise the sewing needle by stroking the needle in one direction with only one side (or one pole) of the magnet.
Make sure you use big movements to ensure the magnet is only moving in one direction over the needle.
Do this about ten or more times. If your magnet is weak do this for longer.Stick the needle to the cork piece with Blu-tack
Place the cork and needle in the centre of your bowl and watch the needlepoint to the North.
You could double-check this with a real compass too.
Get Experimental…
Try using different strengths of magnets
Go outside and use a still bit of water and a leaf to carry out your experiment again. Remember the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, can you get your bearings from this?
Move a strong magnet around the bowl and see if it disrupts your result. What do you think is happening here?
Learn how magnets are attracted to each other by trying to stick them together south to north and then north to north ends. What do you think will happen?
Did you give it a go?
Send us a photo of your compass and you might find it featured in a future issue of Upstart magazine… AND win a prize!