Can a Compass Work Underwater?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Can a compass work underwater?

The Big Idea

Can a compass really work underwater? It sounds tricky, because water changes so many things. But magnets and water get along just fine! Let's dive in and see how divers and submarines find their way.

Water Lets It Through

Step one: water lets it through. Magnetic fields pass through water, so a compass needle works under the sea. Water does not block the field at all, so a compass can go along on any dive.

Divers' Wrist Compass

Step two: a diver's wrist compass. Scuba divers wear waterproof compasses on their wrists to find their way back to the boat. It can be hard to see in murky water, so a compass is a diver's best friend.

Submarines Are Different

Step three: submarines are different. Submarines are made of steel and move in many directions. So they mostly use other tools, such as gyrocompasses and motion sensors, to keep track of direction.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Water does not block a field. A diver's compass works fine. Murky water makes it very useful. Submarines rely on other tools.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Divers use compasses because it can be hard to see in murky water. They wear them on their wrists. Submarines use other tools. Magnetic fields pass right through water.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Put a floating compass in a clear bowl of water. Move the bowl around. Does the needle still point north? Tell a grown-up what you notice. Then tell a friend what you found out.

Outro

Compasses work underwater because magnetic fields pass through water. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!