Paragraph on “Compass” complete paragraph for Class 9, Class 10, Class 11 and Class 12

Compass

A magnetic needle balanced on a pivot is the simplest form of a magnetic compass. Since this needle is free to swing in any direction, it would on it’s own move and point to the Earth’s magnetic pole in the north. This is immensely helpful in finding one’s direction since all land and water areas are charted on this basis. The Chinese were among the first people to use the magnetic needle, this was then introduced in Europe by the Arab traders. By the 12th century the compass was well known in Europe. Initially a magnetised needle thrust through a cross of wood floating in water was used but the compass underwent transformations as the years went by. Since the north pole and the north magnetic pole are located in different places, when one approached the Arctic seas around Greenland, the magnetic needle pointed to the west. This phenomenon puzzled the ancient mariners but today’s ship captains are aware that it is caused by the magnetic north pole.