Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Geography > Hemispheres > Northern Hemisphere > North Pole > Is the north magnetic pole a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole?

Is the north magnetic pole a north magnetic pole or a south magnetic pole?

In: North Pole, Magnetism [Edit categories]

Answer:

It's important to realise that 'Magnetic North' is the name of a location, and not the magnetic polarity of that location. (Magnetic North is not a fixed location, but is constantly changing relative to True North.)
It's very important not to confuse these locations with the magnetic polarities of these locations.

The end of a magnet that points to Magnetic North (the location) was originally called the 'north-seeking' pole of a magnet. Over time, we have dropped the term 'seeking', and we now refer to it simply as the magnet's 'north' pole. For the magnet's north pole to be attracted towards Magnetic North, the magnetic polarity of that location must be south -because unlike poles attract.

So, the earth behaves like a giant bar magnet, with its south magnetic pole located at Magnetic North, and its north pole located at Magnetic South.

First answer by Hilmarz. Last edit by Awaygood. Contributor trust: 65 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

[report abuse]

Can you answer these North Pole questions?

	What is so special about the north pole?	Answer it!
	How long does winter last for in the north and south pole?	Answer it!
	What is the average temperature in the north of India?	Answer it!
	What insects live in pole?	Answer it!
	What it the latitude of the north pole?	Answer it!

Relevant answers:

Why is the north and south pole magnetic?
An easy experiment. When we pass current through a coil of wire then on one side of the coil we have magnetic north pole and on the other side of the coil magnetic south pole produced. Hence as...
How are the north and south poles magnetic?
The North and South Poles are not magnetic. They indicate the axis of rotation of the earth, and are normally called 'True North' and 'True South'. Located near them (in relative terms) are two other...
What is the difference between the north pole and the magnetic north pole?
The magnetic north pole is the point to which a compass points. 'True north' is a point on the earth's rotational axis (the earth spins around this point). These are two different points on the...
Where are the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole located?
the geographic north pole is at the top of the world. your compass points to the magnetic north pole. Not the geographic north pole. Hope this Helps It's incorrect to describe 'Magnetic North' as...
Why is the geographic north pole the magnetic south pole?
Quite simple, really: The part of the compass needle called "north" points north. Since opposite poles attract each other, it follows that that must be the magnetic South Pole of the Earth!...