magnetic needle
Compass's pointing part
A magnetic needle is a thin, magnetized piece of metal—typically a sliver of steel—that rotates freely to align with Earth's magnetic field, pointing roughly north-south.
It's the essential component of a compass: The magnetic needle swung toward north.
The needle responds to any magnetic field, which is why compasses malfunction near strong magnets or electronic devices.
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- northArctic-facing cardinal direction
- poleCylindrical shaft or extremity
- directionWay something faces
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
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- magnetismferromagnetism, electromagnets, demagnetize, poles, flux
- compassescompass rose, compass card, compass heading, north, south
- compass partscompass rose, compass card, pivot, cardinal points
- Magnetometersmagnetometer
- magnetslodestones, electromagnets, lodestone, magnetite, ferromagnet
- navigationcompass, compass rose, signs, charts, navbar
magnetic needlecompass rose
Cartographic direction indicator
bezel · compass card · baseplate · dial face
magnetic needlegyrocompass
Spinning rotor direction finder
GPS receiver · celestial navigation · satellite navigation · sextant · astrolabe
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