Magnetic Field Printable (3rd - 5th Grade) - TeacherVision - Free Printable

Let’s solve the problem step by step.

We are told that a bar magnet is placed near a compass, and we need to figure out which end of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole.

First, remember this key fact:
→ The north pole of a compass needle is attracted to the south pole of a magnet.
→ But in everyday language, when we say “the compass points north,” we mean its north pole points toward Earth’s magnetic *south* pole (which is near geographic north). That can be confusing — so let’s focus on what happens with a bar magnet.

In the diagram (even though we’re not describing it), there’s a bar magnet labeled with N and S. Let’s assume the magnet is placed horizontally, with its North pole on the right, and South pole on the left — as shown in many standard diagrams like this one.

Now, place a compass near the magnet — say, to the right of the magnet’s North pole.

What happens?

- The compass needle has two ends: red (usually north) and white or black (south).
- Opposite poles attract: So the south pole of the compass needle will be attracted to the north pole of the magnet.
- Therefore, if the magnet’s north pole is on the right, the south end of the compass needle will point toward it.
- That means the north end of the compass needle will point *away* from the magnet’s north pole — to the left.

But wait — the question asks:
> Which end of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole?

Answer: The south pole of the compass needle.

However, in most school-level questions, they expect you to know that:

→ The red end (or marked end) of the compass needle is its north pole.
→ And since opposite poles attract, the south pole of the compass (unmarked end) points to the magnet’s north pole.

But here’s the trick: In the diagram provided (as described in typical versions of this worksheet), the compass is drawn with an arrow pointing to the right — meaning the north pole of the compass is pointing to the right.

If the compass’s north pole is pointing to the right, and the magnet’s north pole is also on the right… that would mean like poles are facing each other — which repel! That doesn’t make sense unless the magnet’s south pole is actually on the right.

Wait — let’s re-read the text carefully.

The text says:
> “You have probably seen a compass... The needle aligns itself along the direction of any magnetic field.”

Then:
> “Imagine you have decided that the earth’s magnetic field is similar to a dynamo...”

And then:
> “Perhaps you are a scientist... You set up a giant magnet inside the earth...”

This is background info. The actual task is at the bottom:

> “You are now interested in the earth’s magnetic field. You notice your compass does not point to the true north. It points to the magnetic north. This is because the earth’s magnetic field is tilted relative to the axis of rotation. Draw the magnetic field lines around the earth. Label the magnetic poles.”

Wait — no, looking again at the user’s image description, the actual task seems to be about the bar magnet and compass.

Actually, rereading the full context — the main task appears to be:

> “Draw the magnetic field lines around the bar magnet. Use arrows to show the direction of the field. Also, draw a small compass near the magnet and show which way its needle points.”

But since we don’t have the drawing, and the user wants us to solve the problem accurately, perhaps the core question implied is:

When a compass is placed near a bar magnet, which end of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole?

Let’s go back to basics.

Rule:
Magnetic field lines emerge from the North pole of a magnet and enter into the South pole.

A compass needle aligns itself along the magnetic field line, with its north pole pointing in the direction of the field.

So, if you place a compass near the north pole of a bar magnet:

- The magnetic field lines are coming OUT of the north pole.
- So the compass needle’s north pole will point away from the magnet’s north pole (because field lines go outward).
- Therefore, the south pole of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole.

✔ Final conclusion:
The south pole of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole.

But in many multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank contexts, they might ask for the color or label. Since the problem doesn’t specify colors, we stick to poles.

Also, note: In some diagrams, the compass is drawn with the arrowhead being the north pole. If the arrowhead points toward the magnet, then that would mean the magnet’s pole there is south — because north attracts south.

But based on standard physics:

👉 The end of the compass needle that points toward the magnet’s north pole is the south pole of the compass.

Final Answer:
The south pole of the compass needle points toward the magnet’s north pole.