Compass is the first elementary navigator. Its appearance is noted in the history of BC. How is the compass taught at school. Fans of hiking, orienteering games and tourist teams use it in their classes. What is a device, and how to use a compass?
History
The first mention of the device corresponding to the description of the compass appeared around the III century BC. e. in ancient China. The first design, similar in properties to a compass, looked like a spoon with a long handle. The magnetized handle turned exclusively north. This story is not reliably confirmed, so blindly trusting it is not worth it. Documents confirming the fact of this appearance of the compass were not preserved.
Facts
Nevertheless, the Chinese are considered to be the inventors of the first navigator. The first devices used a metal with magnetic properties - ore. The ancient Chinese attributed to him miraculous properties and called the stone of maternal love. A piece of ore was shaped like a biconvex elongated object. Hanging on a string, it was determined that with one bulge it points to the south, and the other to the north. We used the first compass when moving through the desert. Often, travelers did not have the opportunity to recognize the stars in the sky. On such nights they used a compass.
Seafarers
Centuries later it began to be used in sea voyages. Information about how the compass is arranged for sailors is preserved in history. To orient the magnetized needle was hung on a silk thread.
Sea travelers have distributed the appliance around the world. Mention of him appears among the Arabs and the British.
Modern compass
Recall how the compass is arranged, and how to navigate the terrain with it. The dial of the compass is round. Consists of divisions at regular intervals. In the center is a double arrow, one end of which is blue and the other is red. Blue corresponds to the northern part of the world, and red to the southern part.
Check the performance of the arrow can be empirically, if you bring an iron object to it. The arrow deviates from it. By removing the item, you will notice how the arrow returns to its previous position. So, the test has passed, and you can safely use the compass.
Classification
In the modern world, the compass is used in conditions where it is not possible to turn on the GPS. The latest developments in the field of search engines allow you to use compasses with various energy sources.
1. The usual compass. Acts with a magnetic field. The magnet inside the device responds to the Earth’s magnetic poles. By the name of the inventor, the most famous is Adrianov’s compass. This is the kind of compass that tourists use in dense forests. Children learn how the compass works in grade 3 when teaching orienteering on the ground.
2. Electromagnetic. This type of compass is installed on ships and aircraft. They are considered more accurate, since they do not respond to metal.
3. The electronic compass. The signal to this device comes from space from satellites. This is the most modern type of compass.
4. Gyroscopic. Powered by a gyroscope. Reacts to a change in orientation angle. Distributed on ships and rockets.
It’s easy to understand how the compass works on your phone — it responds to satellites. Let's analyze a simple device. After all, it is he who will save the traveler in the field, when equipment fails and there is no electricity.
The principle of operation of a conventional compass
Using the Adrianov compass as an example, it is easiest to consider the operation of the device. The device consists of a body, an arrow and a needle on which it is held. For ease of association, the arrow is colored. One end is blue, the other is red. When using, the blue arrow turns clearly north, the opposite - to the south. On the dial, cardinal points are indicated by the letters: C (N) - north, Yu (S) - south, B (E) - east, W (W) - west. On the circumference of the dial there are divisions. They mean the degrees by which to navigate when moving.
A magnet is located on the blue end of the arrow; it rotates the arrow in the desired direction. It is important to remember that metallic objects and electromagnetic radiation interfere with the compass. Therefore, do not use it near metal and wires.
How to use a compass?
For starters, it is recommended to practice. For example, try using the appliance at home or in the nearest (most important, familiar) park. In case of failure, it will be possible to safely return from the trip.
• We set the ultimate goal of arrival. At home, this may be some kind of thing. Something long in the forest (pond, walking path). Face to stand in the direction of the landmark.
• The compass must be positioned correctly in relation to its own body. To do this, bring it in the palm of your hand to your chest. When using a card, the device is placed on it. The card at the same time lies on a flat surface.
• Then the compass is slowly turned so that the blue arrow points to the north letter on the dial.
• Draw a figurative line from the center of the compass to the final destination of arrival. So find out the azimuth - the direction to which we must strive to travel ended successfully. For example, to the river in the park. The line will cross the value on the dial. It’s better to write a number.
• Fix the value opposite to the azimuth (diagonal figure). For example, 105 degrees is the opposite of 285. This is the direction of travel.
The first part of the work with the compass is completed. Now you need to get lost. Take a walk in the park, move away from the end point. And now the time has come to return to the river.
We use the compass:
• Take a compass in the palm of your hand. We turn for the blue arrow to the north.
• Mentally fix the line from the azimuth to the degree of the direction of our journey (opposite to the azimuth).
• We head along the line to the side where the azimuth indicates.
If it turned out to return to the river - excellent, you can go camping. If you came to the wrong place, then you will have to practice more. Otherwise, there is a risk of really getting lost on rough terrain.
Experienced travelers advise: if the direction of movement along the path is constantly changing, winding or twisting - divide the road into parts. For each of the parts, indicate a landmark and record the azimuth indicators. It’s easier to get home safe and fast.
How to use the map using a compass?
The map is used in an unfamiliar area for ease of finding the path to the goal. You can also mark your path on it so that you can go back along it.
• The card is positioned exactly in relation to the ground.
• Draw a line from the start to the finish of the trip. They put the device on the card, the edge touches the line drawn.
• Turn the device so that the blue end of the pointer falls on the north value on the map. It is important not to confuse. This designation is called geographical north.
• After watching the value of the azimuth of travel, record readings.
How to make a compass with your own hands?
How the compass works, you can disassemble in practice and make it yourself.
Any small object with a sharp end (pin, pin or sewing needle) is suitable for the compass pointer. A magnet is carried along the selected object back and forth many times, for a long magnetization effect - at least 50 times. If there is no magnet available, use cloth. Wool or silk will do an excellent job, but it will take longer to rub.
Take a container of water. A magnetized object is fixed on a floating material (foam, cork) of a small width (a couple of centimeters is enough). The needle is inserted into the material horizontally and allowed to float freely in a container of water. The needle points north.
The error of such a compass is higher than that of a conventional one. It is better to use in calm water and without wind.
Finally
Remembering how the compass works and how to use it is good for everyone. It is recommended that you take a compass with you for a walk in the forest, especially if it is large and unfamiliar. Ministry of Emergencies warns of the danger of going for mushrooms without a device. Carried away, mushroom pickers wander through the forest for weeks. In an emergency, information about how the compass is arranged can be saving for children (and not only).