The Compass

The Compass exercise

• What are the parts of a compass?

  Hints

  You can use the compass to find locations on maps, but is the map part of the compass?

  The compass uses the Earth's magnetic poles, but does the compass have poles?

  The compass needle is a small magnet that can move and spin freely to show the cardinal points. Though the compass needle spins, does the compass include a spinner?

  Solution

  The parts of a compass are the Compass Needle, Case, Cardinal Points, and Wind Rose.

  • You can use the compass to find locations on maps, but the map is not part of the compass.
  • The compass uses the Earth's magnetic poles, but it does not have poles.
  • The compass needle is a small magnet that can move and spin freely to show the cardinal points. Though the compass needle spins, the compass doesn’t include a spinner.

• Can you label each of the cardinal points?

  Hints

  What do the letters N, E, S, and W stand for?

  Use the image to help you remember. What do N, S, E, and W stand for?

  The wind rose helps us to see the points between the four main cardinal points. We can find Northeast by looking between the cardinal directions North and East.

  Solution

  The compass needle points to four cardinal points: North, South, East, and West.
  The wind rose points to even more accurate cardinal points: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest.

• Now that we know the cardinal points on a compass, we can help Mio better understand how the compass works

  Hints

  Remember, the compass needle always points in the same direction. Which direction does it point in?

  Remember, magnetism moves the compass needle.

  Remember, magnets are attracted to the poles of the earth.

  Solution

  A compass works with an invisible force. We call it magnetism.
  The earth acts like a giant magnet with two magnetic poles.
  Magnets are attracted to the poles of the earth. The compass needle is a small magnet that can move freely.
  One side of the compass needle is usually red and always attracted to the North.

• How can Mio use his map to plan another route?

  Hints

  Use the compass rose to help you. Do you remember what the N, S, E, and W stand for? The N stands for north, the S is for south, the E is for east, and W stands for west.

  We can use the compass needle points to see the four cardinal points.
  We use the wind rose, underneath the compass needle, to read the different cardinal directions even more accurately.
  Do you remember the cardinal directions on the wind rose?

  With a wind rose, you can read the different cardinal directions even more accurately. The wind rose points to directions that show northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.

  Solution

  With the help of the compass rose, Mio rotates his map so that the N of the compass rose on the map is in the same direction in which the compass needle is pointing. If Mio is holding the map as pictured, North is in front of him and the orientation of the roads on the map matches the real roads. He can follow his plan and head southeast to the fish ice cream shop.

• How can Mio plan a route with his compass and map?

  Hints

  Use the compass rose to help you. Do you remember what the letters on the compass rose stand for?

  On the compass, N stands for North, E stands for East, S stands for South, and W stands for West. Which way should Mio go to get to his friend's house?

  Which direction will Mio go to get to his friend's house?

  Solution

  Mio will need to travel West to go to his friend's house.
  Use the compass rose to help you determine which direction to go. On the map, we can see Mio's friends house is to the West of him. He will need to go West to reach his friend's house.

• Reading a map.

  Hints

  Use the compass rose on your map to help you.

  The cardinal points on the compass tell you which way you need to go.
  If Mio is traveling up, he is going North.
  If Mio moves down, he is going South.
  If Mio moves to the right, he is going East.
  If Mio is traveling to the left, he is going West.

  Can you find each of these places on the map?

  Solution

  Mio's house is south of Uma's house. You will need to travel south to get to Mio's house from Uma's house.
  The ice cream shop is west of the park. You will need to travel west to get to the ice cream shop from the park.
  The park is north of the school. You will need to travel north from the school to get to the park.
  The school is east of Mio's house. You will need to travel east from the school to get to Mio's house.
  Uma's house is northwest of the park. You will need to travel northwest from park to get to Uma's house.
  Mio's house is southwest of the park. You will need to travel southwest from the park to get to Mio's house.