93 Finding North-Mid

Finding North FOCUS Question How can a compass help if you are lost?

Are You Lost? You are on a hike. The trail splits. You can go right or left. You know your home is to the north. But which way is north? A tool can help you. It is a compass!

Compass A compass helps people find their way. It has a magnet in it. This magnet is called the needle. The needle is thin and has a point at each end. It can spin around. One end of the needle is often red.

Finding Your Way You can use a compass to find north Hold the compass so it is flat. Wait until the needle stops turning. The red end will point north. Turn the compass with your hand. Make the letter N on your compass line up with the red arrow.

Now you know which way is north! This will also help you find south, east, and west. A compass can help you use a map Turn the map so north on the map. and north on the compass line up. Now follow the map to get home! Think About It Which way does the other end of the needle point?

Earth Is a Big Magnet Why does a compass always point north? Earth is like a giant magnet It has two ends, called poles. The north pole and south pole of two magnets pull toward each other. Since the needle in a compass is a magnet. Earth pulls on it.