6.7.1.2 Magnetic The direction of the 0.5 Draw the magnetic field pattern of How does a compass work? compasses to magnetic field at any point a bar magnet and describe how to Why would a compass the Earth’s poles is given by the direction of plot the magnetic field pattern sometimes point in the wrong due to the Earth’s the force that would act on using a compass. magnetic field. another North Pole placed direction (eg not to the North Describe how a compass can be at that point. The direction Pole in the UK)? made using a needle floating on a of a magnetic field line is leaf once it has been magnetised Try making a compass using from the North (seeking) by a permanent magnet. a needle and a permanent Pole of a magnet to the South (seeking) Pole of the Explain how the behaviour of a magnet. magnet. magnetic compass is related to Suspend a permanent evidence that the core of the Earth A magnetic compass magnet so it is free to rotate. must be magnetic. contains a small bar Check the direction it points magnet. The Earth has a Investigate the magnetic field with an actual compass. magnetic field. pattern of the Earth. The compass needle points in the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field.
6.7.1.2 Magnetic compasses to the Earth’s poles due to the Earth’s magnetic field. The direction of the magnetic field at any point is given by the direction of the force that would act on another North Pole placed at that point. The direction of a magnetic field line is from the North (seeking) Pole of a magnet to the South (seeking) Pole of the magnet. A magnetic compass contains a small bar magnet. The Earth has a magnetic field. The compass needle points in the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field. 0.5 Draw the magnetic field pattern of a bar magnet and describe how to plot the magnetic field pattern using a compass. Describe how a compass can be made using a needle floating on a leaf once it has been magnetised by a permanent magnet. Explain how the behaviour of a magnetic compass is related to evidence that the core of the Earth must be magnetic. Investigate the magnetic field pattern of the Earth. How does a compass work? Why would a compass sometimes point in the wrong direction (eg not to the North Pole in the UK)? Try making a compass using a needle and a permanent magnet. Suspend a permanent magnet so it is free to rotate. Check the direction it points with an actual compass.