Question

A compass has a small balanced pointer that points towards the North-South direction. This is because:

• A. Gravity deflects the needle point towards North-South.
• B. The compass needle points to random direction.
• C. The Earth has a magnetic field and the pointer is magnetic.
• D. The motion of compass is influenced by other celestial bodies.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

The Earth has a magnetic field and the pointer is magnetic.

A compass has a pointer, which has a bar magnet inside it. The bar magnet aligns itself in the North-South direction when freely suspended due to the Earth's magnetic field. Hence, a compass has a small balanced pointer that points towards the North-South direction.