When you hold a hand compass level and allow the needle to settle, in which direction does the needle actually point?

Introduction / Context:
Compasses are basic navigation tools used by hikers, sailors, pilots, and surveyors. A common misunderstanding is about what direction a compass points to. Many people casually say that a compass points north, but in reality it aligns with the Earth magnetic field, which is slightly different from the axis used for maps and geographic coordinates. This question checks whether you understand this distinction between magnetic north and true geographic north.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The device is a standard magnetic compass.
• The question asks what direction the needle points when it is at rest.
• Options include true north, magnetic north, magnetic south, and south.
• We assume typical use near the Earth surface away from strong local magnetic disturbances.

Concept / Approach:
A magnetic compass needle is a small magnet, and magnets align with magnetic fields. The Earth has a magnetic field that roughly resembles that of a bar magnet tilted relative to the planet axis. The end of the needle marked as north points toward the Earth magnetic north direction, which is near but not exactly at the geographic north pole. This is called magnetic north. Because of the difference between true north and magnetic north, navigators must sometimes correct for magnetic declination, but the basic answer remains that the compass aligns with magnetic north rather than true geographic north.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the needle in a compass is magnetised and free to rotate on a pivot. Step 2: Understand that this needle responds to the Earth magnetic field, just as a magnet would respond to any external magnetic field. Step 3: Recognise that maps use true geographic north based on the Earth rotational axis, which does not exactly coincide with the magnetic north direction. Step 4: Compare this understanding with the options and see that magnetic north is the accurate description of the direction indicated by the compass. Step 5: Confirm that the other options, such as true north or south, do not correctly describe the magnetic behaviour of the compass needle.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by thinking about navigation instructions that mention magnetic declination, which is the angle between magnetic north indicated by a compass and true north on a map. If a compass pointed directly to true north, this correction would not be needed. The existence of such corrections in navigation clearly shows that compasses follow magnetic north, not exactly the geographic pole.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is incorrect because the needle does not point exactly at the geographic north pole; the difference can be several degrees or more depending on location. Option c, magnetic south in the southern hemisphere, misrepresents the consistent behaviour of compass needles, which are designed so that the marked end points toward magnetic north. Option d, due south, is simply the opposite of what a compass north needle does.

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is using casual language and saying a compass points north without remembering that this is shorthand for magnetic north. Another error is to think the compass would reverse direction in the southern hemisphere, which it does not. Keeping in mind the phrase magnetic north will help you answer similar questions accurately.

Final Answer:
A compass needle aligns with the Earth magnetic field and points toward magnetic north.