Which direction does the red end of the compass point?

The red end of the compass points north.

Compass was called Sina in ancient times. Its main component is a magnetic needle mounted on the shaft. Under the action of natural geomagnetic field, the magnetic needle can rotate freely and keep in the tangential direction of magnetic meridian. The south pole of the magnetic needle points to the geographical south pole (magnetic north pole), and the direction can be distinguished by using this property.

In the compass, the red end points to the north, because the geographical north pole of the earth is actually the south pole of the earth's magnetic field. Therefore, according to the principle of opposites attract, when the magnet on the earth's surface can rotate freely, the north pole of the magnetic needle will be attracted to the south pole of the magnetic field, that is, the geographical north pole direction.

Application of compass

Compass is the result of China ancient working people's understanding of magnet magnetism in long-term practice. As one of four great inventions of ancient china, its invention has played an inestimable role in the development of human science, technology and civilization. In ancient China, the compass was first used for rituals, etiquette, military affairs and divination, and to determine the orientation when looking at Feng Shui.

Compasses are often used in navigation, geodesy, travel and military affairs. The invention of the compass with physical direction indication has three parts, namely Sina, compass and magnetic needle, all of which belong to the invention of China. According to ancient mine records, it first appeared in the Cishan area during the Warring States Period.