Question

Before invention of the compass, sailors used stars to find directions. In what way is using a compass better?

Answer 1

A compass is a better way of locating directions because it has a magnetic needle fixed to a point which is free to rotate about that point. We know that a freely suspended magnet always rests in the north–south direction in alignment with the earth’s magnetic north –south poles. East and west are the directions which are perpendicular to the north–south. This way sailor can accurately find the directions and need not depend on the stars.