The Earth as a Magnet

           There is much confusion surrounding the two polar regions on the earth. Which is accurately referred to as the North and the South Pole? A factor leading to this conflict of concepts is the use of a geographic representation and a magnetic understanding of the two poles. At the very top of the earth is what most people consider the North Pole (or True North), but is really only the geographic North (appearing at the top of the earth), and actually the magnetic (or physical) South Pole. The opposite applies to the South Pole as well. What most consider to be the South Pole, appearing at the bottom of the earth, is really the geographic North North Magnetic Pole (or True South), and the magnetic (or physical) North Pole. True North and True South are constant, never changing direction. On the other hand the North and South Magnetic Poles are constantly changing, thus affecting the migration patterns of several animals and even instincts of human beings. Figure A demonstrates this phenomenon. This comes into play when compasses are made and used. Compasses are magnets, and therefore if it were pointing North, it would need to be attracted by a South Magnetic Pole since opposites attract.

Figure A

References

1. Brain, M. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "Earth's Magnetic Field". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved February 26, 2012, from http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/compass1.htm