Below the equator, what does a compass point to, north or south?
the correct answer is ‘yes’ We commonly say that the north end of the compass needle points North. However, the compass needle (like any other magnet including the Earth) has two poles. The North end of the needle is attracted towards the direction we call north (Earth’s ‘north’ magnetic pole is a south pole) and the South end of the compass needle is attracted towards the south. Both attract the needle equally and the needle responds by lining up with the lines of magnetic field. In Australia, the south end of the compass is attracted towards the South, so that the North end of the compass still ‘points’ north.
