Schematic illustration of a horseshoe magnet.

Wrong Readings

Does a Compass Always Give the Correct Direction?

 

Materials

  • compass
  • large piece of metal, like a belt buckle

Try This

  1. Use the compass to position yourself so you are facing north.
  2. Place the buckle near the compass. In which direction does the compass point?
Schematic illustration of a compass and a belt buckle.

What's Going On?

When you first read the compass, it gave you the accurate direction. When you held the compass near the buckle, the compass needle was attracted to the metal and gave an incorrect reading. Some rocks are magnetized, and even electrical power lines can influence a compass.

Schematic illustration of 2 compasses and a belt buckle.