An instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it?

An instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it?

• A. Sextant
• B. Theodolite
• C. Barometer
• D. Compass

Answer: (D)

A compass uses a magnetized needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field to point toward magnetic north and to provide bearings from that reference direction. This makes it the primary tool for finding direction and plotting courses, especially when you need to know which way you’re heading. Because magnetic north differs from true north, you often adjust bearings for magnetic declination to get true bearings. For context, other tools serve different purposes: a sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine position, a theodolite measures precise horizontal and vertical angles for surveying, and a barometer measures atmospheric pressure for weather insight.

A compass uses a magnetized needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field to point toward magnetic north and to provide bearings from that reference direction. This makes it the primary tool for finding direction and plotting courses, especially when you need to know which way you’re heading. Because magnetic north differs from true north, you often adjust bearings for magnetic declination to get true bearings.

For context, other tools serve different purposes: a sextant measures angles between celestial objects and the horizon to determine position, a theodolite measures precise horizontal and vertical angles for surveying, and a barometer measures atmospheric pressure for weather insight.