Using Earth's Magnetic Field

Using Earth’s Magnetic Field

Earth’s magnetic field is an invisible force that stretches around our planet and protects us from harmful space radiation. But it’s also incredibly useful for navigation. For thousands of years, people have used compasses to find direction because the compass needle lines up with Earth’s magn...

Earth has an invisible magnetic field that works like a giant bar magnet with a north and south pole.

Just like a fridge magnet attracts metal, Earth’s magnetic field pulls on magnetic materials and affects charged particles floating in space.

This field isn’t the same everywhere. It’s strongest near the poles and weaker at the equat...