compasses at the poles

[xandy]

How do compasses behave at the magnetic north/south pole?Because the opposite pole is in all directions I'm thinking they might spin around or oscillate between N/S but would like a definitive answer. Ta in advance.

[Quizmonster]

Apparently, at the North Pole, the needle will attempt to bend downwards! (I presume it bends up - against the compass-glass, as it were - at the South Pole.)

Anyway, that's what it says on the web-page you'll be taken to if you click http://www.wonderquest.com/compass-at-pole.htm

[Quizmonster]

Actually, I'm no scientist and I suspect the upwards-bending is unlikely! It has to be said that I said that...not the web-page I referred to.

[john91]

You can buy compasses to use in different parts of the world, sailors need them to navigate in the N & S hemishperes.

[smorodina]

The compass needle aligns itself with the magnetic lines of flux of the Earth which at the poles are more or less vertical. Therefore the needle attempts to align itself vertically, with the relevent pointer pointing downwards, which is precisely where the Earths pole will be if you are standing over it. It doesn't bend, it attempts to stand vertically - and at the opposite pole it will attempt to stand vertically the opposite way round.