5H10.11 - Compass

Lending Credit: Provided Courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command. Catalog No. NHHC 1967-307-AA. Location: Van Allen Hall entry display case.
Code Number:
5H10.11
Demo Title:
Compass
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Magnetic Field Indicators
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Magnets, Compasses, and Ships Compass.
Procedure:

Place a compass on the lecture bench or the overhead projector and observe that it lines up in the earth's magnetic field.  An external magnet may be used to change the compass orientation.

References:
  • Brandon Lunk and Robert Beichner, "Exploring Magnetic Fields with a Compass", TPT, Vol. 49, #1, Jan. 2011, p. 45.
  • Martin Connors and Farook Al-Shamali, "Authors' Response", TPT, Vol. 46, #1, Jan. 2008, p. 4.
  • Herbert Looser, "Effective Dipole Position of Magnets", TPT, Vol. 46, #1, Jan. 2008, p. 4.
  • Dragia Trifonov Ivanov, "A Magnet Rolling in the Earth's Magnetic Field", TPT, Vol. 45, #8, Nov. 2007, p. 522.
  • Martin Connors and Farook Al-Shamali, "The Magnetic Torque Oscillator and the Magnetic Piston", TPT, Vol. 45 #7, Oct. 2007, p. 440.
  • Samuel Derman, "Simple Demonstration of the Earth's Magnetic Field", TPT, Vol. 43, #2, Feb. 2005, p. 68.
  • Tomasz Dindorf and Wojciech Dindorf, "A Useful Multipurpose Instrument", TPT, Vol. 40, #7, Oct. 2002, p. 440.
  • R. D. Edge and Samuel Dereman, "A Pointed Demonstration of Surface Tension", TPT, Vol. 29, #6, Sept. 1991, p. 414.
  • H. Richard Crane, "A Magnetic Compass with No Moving Parts", TPT, Vol. 26, #1, Jan. 1988, p. 53.
  • R. D. Edge, "Experiments With Nickels and Magnets", TPT, Vol. 19, #2, Feb. 1981, p. 124.
  • Francis S. Lestingi, "Projection Pointers: Seethrough Compass", TPT, Vol. 8, #3, Mar. 1970, p. 141.
  • R. D. Edge, "Experiment 11.5. The Force Law Near a Bar Magnet", String & Sticky Tape Experiments, p. 11.05.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Hanging Magnetic Compass", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009. p. 95.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Making a 'Gallows Magnetic Compass'", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009. p. 89.
  • Charles Vivian, "Make a Mariner's Compass", Science Experiments & Amusements For Children, p. 34.
  • Martin Gardner, "Watch Becomes Compass", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, p. 15.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Compass Rose", Geography for Every Kids: Easy Activities that Make Learning Geography Fun, p. 87.
  • "Revolving Shaft Without Power", The Boy Scientist, p. 223.
  • "A Floating Electromagnet", The Boy Scientist, p. 214.
  • "The Operation of the Compass", The Boy Scientist, p. 195.
  • "Homemade Mariner's Compass", The Boy Scientist, p. 196.
  • Janice VanCleave, "57, Floating Compass", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 91.
  • Janice VanCleave, "56, Swinging Compass", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 90.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Swinger", Physics for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments in Motion, Heat, Light, Machines, and Sound, p. 36 - 37.
  • Janice VanCleave, "5, Pointer", Magnets, p. 20.
  • The Caliper -- A Newsletter from Vernier Software & Technology, Vol. 18, #2, Fall 2001.
  • H.J. Press, "A Watch as a Compass", Giant Book of Science Experiments, p. 13.
  • H.J. Press, "Compass Needle", Giant Book of Science Experiments, p. 60.
  • Tom Petruzzellis, "Electronic Compass", Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius, p. 178.
  • "Floating Needle Magnetic Field Detector", Physics From the Junk Drawer, 3rd Edition, The Science House, North Carolina State University, p. 34.
  • "Making a Magnet and a Magnetic Field Detector", Physics From the Junk Drawer, 3rd Edition, The Science House, North Carolina State University, p. 33.
  • Curt Suplee, "Attraction from Afar", Everyday Science Explained, National Geographic, p. 82 - 83.
  • "Compass, Aperiodic, US Army Air Force Type D-12", aeroantique.com.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "How to Read Your Compass", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 41.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "Make a Floating Compass", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 55.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "A Different Kind of Compass", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 57.
  • Herb Strongin, “Ship Captains, Pins, and Magnetic Poles“, Science on a Shoestring, p. 176. 
  • Dr. Gordon Stables, R.N., C. Stansfeld Hicks, J. N. Maskelyne, Rev. Harry Jones, M.A, Dr. Stradling, Captain Crawley, Rev. A. n. Malan, M.A., F.G.S., and Many Others, "Chapter XLIV - How to Make a Pocket Compass and Timepiece", The Boy's Own Book of  Indoor Games and Recreations, A Popular Encyclopaedia for Boys, p. 396.
  • Forrest M. Mims III, "Compass", Vol. III - Electronic Sensor Circuits & Projects, p. 62.
  • "The Mariner's Compass", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, 1984, p. 52.
  • "The Azimuth Compass", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, 1984, p. 54.
  • The Queen Catalogues Vol. I, Catalogue of Mathematics and Engineering, p. 141.
PDF icon US Army Air Force Type D-12 Compass PDF

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.