Which statement explains why compasses point toward magnetic north rather than geographic north?

Which statement explains why compasses point toward magnetic north rather than geographic north?

• A. Because Earth's magnetic field is aligned with geographic north
• B. Because Earth's magnetic field is not aligned with geographic north
• C. Because compasses always point to magnetic south
• D. Because geographic north is fixed

Answer: (B)

A compass aligns with the local magnetic field, not with geographic north. The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by motions in the outer core and is not perfectly aligned with the planet’s rotation axis. Because of this misalignment, the direction the compass needle points—the magnetic north pole—is not the same as geographic north. The difference between magnetic north and geographic north varies by location and time and is called magnetic declination. That’s why a compass usually points toward magnetic north rather than true geographic north, and you may need to adjust readings to find true north.

A compass aligns with the local magnetic field, not with geographic north. The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by motions in the outer core and is not perfectly aligned with the planet’s rotation axis. Because of this misalignment, the direction the compass needle points—the magnetic north pole—is not the same as geographic north. The difference between magnetic north and geographic north varies by location and time and is called magnetic declination. That’s why a compass usually points toward magnetic north rather than true geographic north, and you may need to adjust readings to find true north.