compass needle
Magnetic direction indicator
A compass needle is the magnetized pointer in a compass that aligns with Earth's magnetic field, indicating north.
The needle pivots freely on a central pin, with one end (usually marked or colored) pointing toward magnetic north.
The compass needle swung wildly near the iron deposits.
Force zone around magnets
- polarityState of opposing forces
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
- ferromagnetismStrong atomic magnetic alignment
- attractionPull toward something
magnetize · flux · iron · pivot · dampening · interference · electromagnetic · induction
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
- bearingPosture or orientation
heading · orientation · pointing · cardinal · true north · magnetic north · deviation · declination
Graduated circular indicator
- housingDwellings or protective covering
- bezelGrooved rim for mounting
- gimbalPivoted rotational support
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
calibration · accuracy · precision · trembling · settling · steady · responsive · reliable
Navigating through physical spaces
- orienteeringCompetitive terrain navigation sport
- chartData shown visually
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
explorer · mariner · sailor · sextant · astrolabe · dead reckoning · piloting · wilderness
magnetic field
Force zone around magnets
- polarityState of opposing forces
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
- ferromagnetismStrong atomic magnetic alignment
attraction · magnetize · flux · iron · pivot · dampening · interference · electromagnetic · induction · degauss
north
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
bearing · heading · orientation · pointing · cardinal · true north · magnetic north · deviation · declination · azimuth
dial
Graduated circular indicator
- housingDwellings or protective covering
- bezelGrooved rim for mounting
- gimbalPivoted rotational support
graduation · calibration · accuracy · precision · trembling · settling · steady · responsive · reliable · portable
wayfinding
Navigating through physical spaces
- orienteeringCompetitive terrain navigation sport
- chartData shown visually
- mapSpatial representation of terrain
seafaring · explorer · mariner · sailor · sextant · astrolabe · dead reckoning · piloting · wilderness · hiking
- needlesbetweens, sharps, bodkin
- magnetismmagnet, magnetic field, magnetic fields, magnetic poles, ferromagnetism
- navigationsigns, charts, navbar, headings, maps
- compassesnorth, south, east, west, northeast
- analogturntable, hourglass, phonograph, gramophone, reel-to-reel
- magnetic materialsiron, nickel, cobalt, magnetite, alnico
compass needlespinning top
Rotating toy on point
weather vane · false lead · randomizer · blindfold · roulette wheel
compass needledisorientation
Loss of spatial awareness
guesswork · wandering aimlessly · confusion · intuition · dead reckoning