A compass is carried from the magnetic equator toward a magnetic pole. What changes?
At the magnetic equator, dip is approximately zero and Earth's field is nearly horizontal.
At the magnetic equator, dip is approximately zero and Earth's field is nearly horizontal. Moving toward a magnetic pole increases the magnitude of dip toward 90 degrees while the horizontal component generally falls toward zero at the pole. A freely suspended three-dimensional needle tilts more steeply; an ordinary horizontal compass becomes less effective near the pole.
Key point
Dip rises from about 0 degrees at magnetic equator to about 90 degrees at magnetic poles.
Common mistake
assuming a horizontal compass works equally well everywhere.
Memory tip
near a magnetic pole, the field points mostly down or up.
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