How does a magnetic compass work? Well, it’s all down to basic physics and human ingenuity. The key component of a standard baseplate compass is its magnetized needle, which is allowed to spin freely ...

Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field generated by electric currents from within the planet. Compasses take advantage of this field to identify north and serve as a navigational aid. But one social ...

Most people assume a compass will behave perfectly, no matter where you take it, but the magnetic pole is a bit of a troublemaker. The rules you rely on everywhere else on the planet start to wobble ...