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How is magnetic north defined? In relation to negative electric charge, or just by reference to a standard compass? (I.e. "whatever is attracted to this side of
by kqr 4y ago
How is magnetic north defined? In relation to negative electric charge, or just by reference to a standard compass? (I.e. "whatever is attracted to this side of my magnet is magnetic north" )
- TheRealPomax 4y agoThose are the same thing. The Earth is a planet sized (highly irregular) magnet, and compasses are very simple measuring devices for finding the alignment of the (local) magnetic field. Magnetic North is the "point" (it's not actually a point at all) on the surface of the planet where all magnetic field lines that you can trace by walking towards compass-incidated North converge. And those lines won't be even remotely straight =)