Explorers have used compasses to help them navigate and explore the world for over 2,000 years! A compass uses magnetism to help people navigate their way through water, over land, and while flying. If you have seen one, you know that its needle always points north. A compass is made of a magnetic needle mounted on a dial in a way that allows it to move in a complete circle.

Designed by God: How Earth’s Magnetism Points Us North

Like any other magnet, the compass needle has a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of a magnet is always attracted to a magnetic south pole. Have you seen a bar magnet? The needle of a compass works the same way. If another magnetic force is around, the needle will pull toward it. But why does the compass point to the north when no other magnets are around?

God created the Earth itself as a giant magnet. Scientists know that the inside of our planet is largely liquid metal. There are several theories as to just how the magnetic field works, but we know that something inside the earth acts as a giant bar magnet with a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole.

Now it’s time for a little confusion! The top part of Earth is called the north, and that is where our north pole is. Likewise, the south part of Earth is called the south, and that is where our south pole is. We know that with magnets, opposite poles attract (north is attracted to south).

So why does the north pole of the compass needle point to the north pole of Earth?

The answer is that they are flipped! The north pole of Earth is where the magnetic south pole is located. The same is true of Earth’s south pole—that is where the magnetic north pole is. It might seem confusing at first, but it ensures our compass always points north.

Build a Compass at Home: Easy Activity for Kids

You can make your own compass with a few supplies:

• small magnet
• sewing needle
• small amount of butter or margarine
• cereal-size bowl
• water

Follow these steps:

1. Fill the bowl with water.
2. Using the magnet, stroke the sewing needle in one direction (from one end to the other) 3–4 times, using only the north pole of the magnet.
3. Coat the needle with a little butter.
4. Gently place the needle lengthwise on the surface of the water. (You may need to attempt this a couple of times until you can get it floating.)
5. Watch the needle orient itself so that it points north.
6. You can verify the direction using another compass, if you like. Be sure the compasses are at least ½ meter apart.

Go Deeper: Explore Compass History & Real-World Uses

Follow up to learning about compasses by doing some research on compasses and their history. Then go for a hike and use one yourself- it may just help you not to lose your way!

Activity and information taken from the new student reader and lab manual, The Mystery of Science: Physics.