Which way does a compass point if you are standing directly on top of the North Pole?

Question

If a compass always points north, which direction does a compass point if you are standing directly on top of the North Pole?

Answer 1

Assuming by "North Pole" you mean the geographic pole, the compass needle would point toward the magnetic pole, which is south of the geographic pole.

Answer 2

Assuming you're at magnetic north, it will be completely erratic (pointing in random directions) because the magnetic field lines will be coming down from above all around you. Their dispersion and interference with each other will be too great for the compass to fixate on any particular direction.

Answer 3

Towards the magnetic north pole, somewhat south of there.

Answer 4

It would point down.

(The 'dip compass' was used for years.- Wiki it.)

Answer 5

If you are geographically on the north pole, then it points south, since technically, the magnetic north is south of the geographical south..  if you stood at magnetic north, i have absolutely no idea.  it would depend on what direction you approached from, i would have to guess, until you passed throught the perfect north pole, then it would shift.

Answer 6

A little misconception here.  The idea that a compass always points north is somewhat deceiving, as the north pole is not what is called true magnetic north, so if you are on the center of the north pole, the compass will point off to one side or the other, depending on which direction you're facing.

  The north pole and true north are two differnt animals.