# Explain why a compass needle points towards the geographic north pole of the Earth.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.7.1 Fields · Explain · 5 marks

> A student places a compass on a desk far away from any magnets or electrical equipment. The compass needle settles so that one end points towards the geographic north pole of the Earth.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The Earth has/produces a magnetic field
2. A magnetic field exerts a force on a magnetic material / the compass needle is a magnet and experiences a force in a magnetic field
3. The compass needle is free to rotate / pivot
4. The needle aligns with the magnetic field lines / along the direction of the magnetic field
5. The geographic north pole corresponds to a magnetic south pole (of the Earth's internal field), so the north-seeking pole of the needle is attracted towards it

## Key terms

- [compass needle](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/compass-needle)
- [geographic north pole](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/geographic-north-pole)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-compass-needle-points-1f80a7e0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.