When a compass is in the northern hemisphere, the north end of the needle is pulled down towards the Earth, so the south end must be counterweighted to balance it. If a northern-hemisphere compass is used south of the equator, the south end of the needle is pulled down instead. read more
In the northern hemisphere, a compass will always point north. This is because the Earth is like a type of magnet, which can then interact with other types of magnets (i.e. a compass). So, the compass will align itself with the magnetic field of the Earth, and point north (in the northern hemisphere). read more
A compass needle has two ends that are painted different colors, with red indicating north. When a compass is in the northern hemisphere, the north end of the needle is pulled down towards the Earth, so the south end must be counterweighted to balance it. read more
A compass will point the same whether it is in the northern or southern hemisphere. The needle on a compass is designed to magnetically line up with the earths poles. read more