Eli5 : What is the difference between the Geomagnetic poles and the Magnetic poles of the Earth?
In: Physics
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing you’re looking for the difference between the geomagnetic poles and geographical poles. The geomagnetic poles and magnetic poles are the same thing.
Geographic North and South are the Northern and Southern end of the axis running through the Earth that it rotates around.
(Geo)magnetic North and South are, essentially, where a magnet would theoretically stick to the Earth. Said another way, if the Earth were a giant bar magnet, (or when treating it like one while doing calculations), magnetic N and S would be N and S on the magnet.
If you go to the North Pole and look at your compass, it’ll still be pointing North and if you follow it, it’ll lead you from the North pole to magnetic North.
To use an example. Spin a basketball on your finger. The very top is North, the bottom (where your finger is) is South. Makes sense, right. Now put a magnet inside the basketball. The top and bottom of the ball are still [Geographical] North and South. The orientation of the magnet will define the ball’s Magnetic North and South.
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