How does a compass work and how is it designed? Why does its arrow point precisely to the north? How to determine the sides of the horizon.

We are surrounded by a huge number of very interesting things that were invented many centuries ago and have hardly changed in terms of functionality. One of these items is a compass, or in other words, a device with a built-in magnetized needle. Almost each of us has at least once wondered how a compass works and what its principle of operation is.

Who invented the compass?

This device, still popular today, was invented in Ancient China. There are several versions of its appearance:

1. Three thousand years before our era, the then Chinese lands were ruled by Huang Di. The emperor is credited with creating the first navigation devices, thanks to which he saved his army in the desert. However, there is no exact data on this fact;
2. According to another version, at the turn of the 1st-2nd century BC, the ancient Chinese were already using a round-shaped object, inside of which there was a magnetic stick;
3. It is historically known that already in the 13th century, during the reign of the Song Dynasty, the empire massively used instruments for orientation while crossing deserts.

As for the European part of the continent, the compass appeared here in the middle of the 12th-13th centuries. Outwardly, he looked very simple and laconic. A stopper was installed in a small container filled with water, and a pointer was attached to the top.

Only two hundred years later, thanks to the efforts of Flavio Joya, the predecessor of the navigator underwent changes. The Italian modernized the design by installing an arrow on the vertical axis, and placed a non-magnetic round contour with divisions around it.

Since that time, design features have constantly changed, but the principle and meaning have remained the same.

How does a compass work?

The operating principle of the device depends on its type. Known three main types of compass:

• Magnetic;
• Gyro-compass;
• Electronic.

A classic magnetic compass consists of a round box made of plastic or brass, in the center of which a steel pin is installed. At the end of the spire, perpendicular to its axis, there is magnetic pointer . Also, some models have a special brake (fuse), and the top of the case is covered with glass.

It works very simply. The magnetized pointing axis interacts with the Earth's natural magnetic field and rotates parallel to the force lines of our planet. Accordingly, according to the direction of the line on North, the arrow will be directed similarly.

As for the gyrocompass, it is widely used in ship navigation systems as an indicator of geographic direction and determines the azimuth and course of movement. It consists of a gyroscope placed in the middle of the ball. The ball itself floats freely in a vessel with liquid. Its center of gravity is located at the bottom.

The electronic version of the device works on the principle of calculating location using satellite data. It constantly receives and receives a signal from a navigation satellite, and thereby determines the direction of movement, as well as coordinates and speed.

How to determine the sides of the horizon?

To orient yourself on the ground, first of all, set the compass as level as possible relative to the horizontal plane, and then release the brake. The arrow will begin to rotate and then indicate the cardinal direction. Its sharp part will be directed to the north. Most often it is painted dark blue, and the lower part is red. On the opposite side there will be south, and on the right and left there will be east and west, respectively.

There are markings on the inside of the structure at the bottom. The circle can be divided into four equal sectors with two perpendicular diameters, the ends of which are marked with the letters S, S, W and V. Also on the dial there is a scale from 0 to 360 degrees with a division step of 10-15 degrees.

It should be clarified that the readings of the magnetic indicator may be wrong, if you determine the directions of light near high-voltage power lines or railroad tracks.

It is also necessary to periodically check the compass. To do this, in a state of rest, excite the arrow by the short-term influence of a foreign metal object. If after exposure it returns to its previous position, then the device is working properly. After finishing working with it, it is recommended to always press the safety lever and carry it in a case or case.

How to make a compass yourself?

It is noteworthy that such a tourist assistant can be made with your own hands at home. For this:

1. Selecting the material for the instrument needle. We can use a pin, a paper clip, a hairpin, or a regular sewing needle;
2. Magnetize the selected structural element. It is advisable to do this with a regular magnet, moving it along our pointer at least 40-50 times. If you don’t have a magnet at hand, use a wool or silk cloth, but you will need to rub a little longer;
3. In addition to the above components, you need to prepare a jar or small bowl of water, as well as a cork or foam plastic with a diameter of about 2 cm. Next, insert the pointer horizontally symmetrically into the cork;
4. All that remains is to assemble our gadget. To do this, simply insert a homemade rotary mechanism into a jar or bowl of water.

Thus, by rotating, the needle will indicate which direction is north. This method determines only the approximate direction, and this is best done in still water and in the absence of wind.

Advantages and disadvantages of GPS

In the digital age, more and more travelers are abandoning paper maps in favor of electronics. We will compare what is better and more convenient, and what to give preference to.

From benefits GPS should be highlighted:

• Excellent orientation in conditions of poor visibility, fog, snow, accurately determine the path;
• Support for local regional maps;
• Loading already laid routes with all the necessary marks;
• Visualization of completed tracks, uploading them to the Internet.

From cons we note the following:

• Skills and ability to work with a map become dull;
• Dependency on power supply;
• Possibility of signal loss.

Technology is constantly evolving, and something new and better appears every day. The same applies to orientation and navigation devices. And whatever they are, the basic basis is the principle of how and due to what the compass works.

Video about the compass device

In this video, Arkady Pushnoy will tell you how a compass works, how to use it correctly, and how you can make the device yourself using available materials:

COMPASS 3D– a popular program designed for the development of design and project documentation. The brainchild of the Russian company Askon, the program has long won the respect of users.

One of the advantages of the system is the ability to purchase additional libraries to expand the capabilities of the program. For example, a library of standard parts that you can add to your working 3D assemblies in ready-made form - bearings, seals, pipeline elements, fasteners, etc.

How to connect the library in the KOMPAS 3D program?

In order for the downloaded library to “work”, you need to correctly to plug. To do this you will have to perform several operations:

1. Make sure that the downloaded library files are in the correct folder (it’s called Libs);
2. After opening the program, in the “Tools” menu, find the “Library Manager” command;
3. After clicking, a list of files will appear, among which we select the required one - for this there is a “Connect” button in the context menu;
4. If the library is not in the list, click “Add” and specify the location;
5. Connected libraries are marked in the list with check marks.

For the program KOMPAS-3D Portable(which does not require installation) libraries are connected as follows:

1. Menu Tools – Library Manager – RMB – Add Description – Application Library;
2. Select the desired file;
3. Repeat steps for each included library

Please note that library files have the extension *dll or *rtw. *tlm files belong to templates and are connected through the “Template Manager”.

What to do if libraries are not connected?

This error can be caused by various reasons. What can be done to improve the situation?

Modern tablets replace many devices - media players, laptops, mobile phones and even a compass. But, oddly enough, the latter option is quite difficult to implement, and a digital version of such a simple device may simply not work. So, what to do if the compass does not work on your tablet?

Reasons for the malfunction of the compass on the tablet

Before understanding digital technologies, let's remember the principle of operation of a classic compass. This device was invented many centuries ago, and its main task is to show the correct position of North and South. An ordinary compass consists of a magnetized needle, which, depending on the strength of the magnetic attraction of the earth's field, points in the desired direction.

The principle of operation of the compass on the tablet can be based on two systems:

1. In the first, the tablet receives location data from GPS satellites, processes it, connects it with accelerometer readings and displays the result in the form of a corresponding picture;
2. In the second, the tablet system provides for the presence of special magnetometers that measure the earth’s magnetic field, combine the data with the accelerometer, and, based on the position of the gadget in space and the amount of radiation, indicate the desired direction.

The reason that the compass does not work in the first case is a malfunction of the GPS module, accelerometer, or poor signal quality from satellites.

In the second situation, in most cases, compass calibration is necessary. Although the tablet receives all the necessary data, it does not know how to use it. Calibration is quite simple:

• go to any convenient application that has a compass, for example, Google Maps;
• hold the tablet in front of you and make a figure-of-eight movement;
• repeat this procedure several times until the compass begins to show the normal direction.

It is advisable to carry out this procedure in an open area so that there are no powerful sources of electricity or various devices nearby that can emit magnetic waves that interrupt the natural radiation of the earth.