how can i find the north and sounth of the magnets?

[cenizasblancas]

Sorry about the silly cuestion but i need to know how can i use a compass, the north of the compass it indicates the north of the magnets?

Regards

Juan Motta

[Chuck H]

Did you do a google search??? It's out there.

The north seeking needle end of the compass will be attracted by the north pole of the magnet.

[cenizasblancas]

no... i did´t search in google... sorry.. i did´t know this information are in google...

Thanks for the answer!!!

[big_teee]

no... i did´t search in google... sorry.. i did´t know this information are in google...

Thanks for the answer!!!

Earth's Magnetic Poles
Actually the north end of a magnet is North.
The Manetic North Pole is actually South, and the north end of a magnet points to it.
So the south end of the compass will point to the north end, or edge of your pickup magnets.
It can be confusing, but pretty simple once you work through it.
Also a Caution**
Be careful with your compass.
If you get it around Stronger magnets, it is possible to reverse your compass.
So make sure your compass points to the north before and after you use it with magnets.
Good Luck,
Terry

[copperheadroads]

the Red end of the compass points to the south pole of a magnet

[Chuck H]

I just want to be certain we're all working with the same info... So, the north pole of the Earth is not the same polarity as the north pole of a magnet?!? Who's nut job idea was that? To name dissimilar poles the same?

In magnetics, opposites attract. But that doesn't mean that the north seeking end of a compass needle is polarized "north". To point north it is polarized south. So, the north "seeking" end of a compass needle should point to the strongest north polarized magnetic attraction. Right?!?

EDIT: OK. I just read something I find vaguely disturbing. I read that the "North pole" is actually the south polarized end of the Earth's magnetic field and that it's called the "North pole" because the north polarized end of a compass needle points to it (and consequently actual north is south on every map on the planet).

OK... Fine... We live in bizzarro world. I really thought this was a no brainer. I would have assumed that a compass had it's "north seeking" needle end polarized south!!!

Well I'm glad someone with correct information has posted. I don't mind being wrong as long as no one gets hurt and I get to learn something. (yes, both criteria are required) )

[big_teee]

I just want to be certain we're all working with the same info... So, the north pole of the Earth is not the same polarity as the north pole of a magnet?!? Who's nut job idea was that? To name dissimilar poles the same?

In magnetics, opposites attract. But that doesn't mean that the north seeking end of a compass needle is polarized "north". To point north it is polarized south. So, the north "seeking" end of a compass needle should point to the strongest north polarized magnetic attraction. Right?!?

EDIT: OK. I just read something I find vaguely disturbing. I read that the "North pole" is actually the south polarized end of the Earth's magnetic field and that it's called the "North pole" because the north polarized end of a compass needle points to it (and consequently actual north is south on every map on the planet).

OK... Fine... We live in bizzarro world. I really thought this was a no brainer. I would have assumed that a compass had it's "north seeking" needle end polarized south!!!

Well I'm glad someone with correct information has posted. I don't mind being wrong as long as no one gets hurt and I get to learn something. (yes, both criteria are required) )

Now you get it!
When I first started winding I went through all of this.
It bothered me until I got it sorted out.
Terry

[copperheadroads]

& it's still confusing

[cenizasblancas]

Hooo more complicated than i spected!!!!

[David Schwab]

I just want to be certain we're all working with the same info... So, the north pole of the Earth is not the same polarity as the north pole of a magnet?!? Who's nut job idea was that? To name dissimilar poles the same?

The magnetic North pole of the Earth is in fact South. Crazy, but true. I can only guess that someone was confused about the issue!

I use one of these gizmos:

STEWMAC.COM : Magnet Polarity Tester

[defaced]

I just want to be certain we're all working with the same info... So, the north pole of the Earth is not the same polarity as the north pole of a magnet?!? Who's nut job idea was that? To name dissimilar poles the same?

In magnetics, opposites attract. But that doesn't mean that the north seeking end of a compass needle is polarized "north". To point north it is polarized south. So, the north "seeking" end of a compass needle should point to the strongest north polarized magnetic attraction. Right?!?

EDIT: OK. I just read something I find vaguely disturbing. I read that the "North pole" is actually the south polarized end of the Earth's magnetic field and that it's called the "North pole" because the north polarized end of a compass needle points to it (and consequently actual north is south on every map on the planet).

OK... Fine... We live in bizzarro world. I really thought this was a no brainer. I would have assumed that a compass had it's "north seeking" needle end polarized south!!!

Well I'm glad someone with correct information has posted. I don't mind being wrong as long as no one gets hurt and I get to learn something. (yes, both criteria are required) )

To make it even more fun, the poles can swap. Not that we'll see it in our life times, but interesting science none the less. Geomagnetic reversal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Chuck H]

I did read about that when I discovered my mistake.

[big_teee]

Calling it the North Pole, when it is actually South.
Falls into that "What to Hell Was You Thinking" Category!
B_T

[Joe Gwinn]

Calling it the North Pole, when it is actually South.
Falls into that "What to Hell Was You Thinking" Category!

Original purpose was navigation at sea. Electronics and guitars were at least 600 years in the future.

computersmiths - History of Chinese Invention - Invention of the Magnetic Compass

[Chuck H]

Right. But isn't it the worst case of 'taking someones word for it'.

"Let's see... The north end of this needle points that way. We shall call it north."

So now the whole friggin Earth is marked cattywhompus because some needle told us to?

Just having fun. Not ranting.