compass
A compass aligns with Earth's magnetic field. This topic is part of Navigation within Geography. This page currently draws on 15 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
compass trivia questions
A magnetic compass needle points approximately toward which direction?
Answer: North
Bonus fact: A compass aligns with Earth's magnetic field.
What are north, south, east, and west collectively called?
Answer: Cardinal directions
Bonus fact: The four cardinal directions are the primary points of a compass.
A traditional magnetic compass points toward Earth's geographic north because it responds to what?
Answer: Earth's magnetic field
Bonus fact: Earth acts roughly like a giant magnet, creating a field that aligns the compass needle.
A compass rose on a map shows what?
Answer: Directions
Bonus fact: It indicates north, south, east, and west.
On most maps, the top of a standard compass rose points toward what?
Answer: North
Bonus fact: North-up orientation is common though not universal.
A compass needle points roughly toward what direction?
Answer: Magnetic north
Bonus fact: The needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field.
What property lets a compass needle align with Earth's field?
Answer: Magnetism
Bonus fact: The needle itself is magnetized.
A runway labeled 09 points roughly toward what compass direction?
Answer: East
Bonus fact: 090 degrees is due east.
What environmental cue helps monarchs navigate using a time-compensated compass?
Answer: Sun
Bonus fact: Their internal clock helps adjust for the Sun's changing position.
A magnetic compass points approximately toward what?
Answer: Magnetic north
Bonus fact: The needle aligns with Earth's magnetic field.
On a map, what skill pairs naturally with compass use to follow a bearing?
Answer: Orienting the map
Bonus fact: Aligning map north with the landscape helps transfer bearings accurately.
The Mercator projection was designed especially to aid what?
Answer: Navigation
Bonus fact: Straight lines can represent constant compass bearings.