Compass from improvised materials. Making a homemade compass for survival in an extreme situation, a homemade compass from a needle, pin and razor How to make a compass at home
Which side is north? Show right now. If you can't, then find out where north is with a compass. Do you have a compass? No? Don't worry - you can make your own DIY compass. In addition, you will learn how the compass works, and who knows how to determine the desired direction of the cardinal points without any compass.
To design a homemade compass you will need:
Needle
Separate magnet with north and south poles
bottle cap
Small bowl of water
Homemade compass is done as follows
1. Draw the north pole along the needle, from eye to tip, at least ten to twenty times. This is how you magnetize the needle.
2. Cut off a small piece from the end of the cork. About ten, twelve millimeters will be enough.
3. Pass the needle from the side of one circle to another.
4. Fill the bowl with water (up to half will be enough). Dip the cork with the needle into the water.
5. Set up your homemade compass on a flat surface and watch what happens. The end will point north.
How a homemade compass works
attract , steel and other magnets. A magnet has a south and a north pole, and the north pole of one magnet and the south pole of another magnet attract each other. rich in iron, so the Earth is a magnet, with north and south poles. The Earth's magnetic field is not strong enough to completely pull all other magnets to the south or north poles, but strong enough to turn them around.
Since the magnetized needle, inserted into the cork, floats on the water, it can freely rotate and turn in accordance with the magnetic poles of the Earth. This is the simplest homemade compass that can tell you where is north and where is south. If we put our homemade compass on a piece of cardboard, then after the needle points to the north, we can mark all cardinal directions on this cardboard. And then you will always know which side is north, south, west and east.
The South Pole is the only place on Earth where any direction points.
Who has their own internal compass?
They navigate in space using the sun as a magnet. And bats have a magnetic substance called magnetite in their bodies, which they use as an "internal compass" to help them navigate in space.
How to make a compass?
There are different situations when a compass may be needed: get lost in the forest, determine north-south in an apartment, put furniture according to Feng Shui. But, as always, at the right moment, there is no something important “at hand”, in this case a compass. What to do? Make it up yourself. Below we will tell you how to make a compass and what you need for this.
Making a compass at home
You can make two types of compasses - on the water and on a string.
For the first option, we need: a needle, a magnet, foam plastic, a wide glass container with water (deep plate).
- With a magnet we draw along one of the tips of the needle, 20-30 times in one direction. So we magnetize it.
- Making a compass needle. We insert the needle into the foam so that both ends of it peek out of it. At the same time, our arrow should stay evenly on the water, without turning over, that is, we must clearly find and establish the center of gravity.
- We lower the arrow into a container of water. It will start spinning and after a while it will stop, the magnetized end will point to the north.
For the second option, we need a magnet, a needle, thread, tape, a piece of paper, a pencil, scissors and a glass container (a 3 liter jar will do).
- Magnetize one end of the needle.
- Insert a needle into a piece of paper.
- We glue the thread to the paper, with adhesive tape, we fix the second end of the thread on a pencil. Equalize the center of gravity of our arrow.
- We lower the arrow into the jar, and put the pencil on the support (the neck of the jar).
- The "arrow" will begin to spin, and the magnetized tip of the needle will point north.
Now you know how to make a compass with your own hands at home.
Making a compass in nature
For this we will use improvised materials. Of course, it is advisable to go hiking, hunting, picking mushrooms to put a wire or a nail, a piece of thread and a magnet in your pocket, but if one of these is missing, it does not matter. We propose to consider two options for creating compasses in extreme conditions.
First: we need something small, metal. It can be a needle, a piece of wire or a nail. Now we need to magnetize one of its ends, how to make a detail in a compass, the most important one - an arrow, if there is no magnet? You can magnetize a metal object by friction. Rub it on your hair or woolen clothes. Now we tie a thread to our arrow. Be sure to find the center of gravity and balance the wire, otherwise the result will be incorrect. The length of the thread must be at least 40 cm. We take the second edge in our hands or tie it to a stick and install it on a support. After our arrow spins and balances, the magnetized edge will accurately point north.
For the second option, we need a hole with water or a bowl. We magnetize one end of our "arrow". We take a leaf of a tree or a piece of bark and put it there. We lower it all into a puddle and look where the tip of the arrow points. There will be north.
As you can see, making a compass is not difficult in any situation, you just need to be smart. You can experiment at home first. If something is wrong, we type in the search engine: how to make a compass - video, and watch. Now, for sure, there are no more questions.
Going on a trip, you should think about all the outcomes of the holiday. Sometimes the mysterious, dense, alluring forests, mountains, rocks call to their depths. And we go under this call of nature without noticing that we have moved far from the entrance, but you don’t know how to get out! Or you just need to put the plants according to Feng Shui, and for this you need to determine the cardinal points, and what if you don’t have a compass at hand? In this article we will tell you how to create a wonderful compass at home, as determined by the parties, different ways. So, let's begin!
do-it-yourself compass
Compass on a thread and a needle
In fact, making a needle and thread compass is very simple and most importantly effective! To begin with, we take an ordinary needle, everyone can find it somewhere at home. Then rub it properly with a magnet so that it becomes magnetized. The next step is to take any thread, if you are on a hike, but you don’t have a spool with you, you can tear one from any clothes. Next, we thread the needle and tie it into a knot. Carefully, it is advisable not to take it too tightly in your hands, it can transfer the charge to you and thereby demagnetize.
Put it in a horizontal position and watch. One end of the needle will point north and the other end will point south. On the right and left sides will be located the east and west sides of the world. Note which end the north was showing, this can be done with the help of brilliant green, iodine, which travelers will always find. That's all. You can safely determine the cardinal points on it, as with a standard compass.
How to make a compass out of a needle and water
Another easy way, for making a compass is the method with a needle and water. This is a very handy method that allows you to make a compass at home. So, to make a compass with this method, you need to take a needle. Magnetize it properly, this can be done with a magnet. Rub the needle on it, but not with the whole part, but only with one end. The other end must not be charged. To discharge it, you can hold it over the fire, this will neutralize the charge. If you do not have a special magnet, you can use any, even the smallest one, there are such on the refrigerator. Or use silk, it charges objects like no other.
The next step is to mark with a color which side is magnetized so as not to confuse the sides. You can mark with any paint or brilliant green, iodine or any other impurities. Next is the most interesting, pour water into the bowl, place the needle on a stable surface that will float on the water (pinoplast, wine cork, plastics, and any other items that float on the surface of the water). Next, you need to watch. The arrow will turn in the direction directed to the north, behind it will be the south, and on the right and left sides there will be a direction to the east and west .. Here is such a way! Very light and operable in any terrain.
Paperclip compass
So, to make a compass out of a paper clip, you need to properly charge it. This can be done with the help of a well-known magnet, or you can remember seventh grade physics and use silk. Rub it to recharge it. Next, you need to carefully place the paper clip on the cardboard or paper surface and lower it into the water. Pay attention that nothing interferes with the movement of the paper clip. Eliminate all drafts, gusts of wind. It's also worth using a small piece of paper to avoid hitting the bowl of water. That's it, the compass is ready. If you did everything right, then he will show you the way to the north. Bon Voyage!
How to make a homemade compass
In order to make a homemade cardboard compass, you need to cut out a circle. You need to draw the drawing correctly to get an even circle. The next step is to charge the needle with a magnet or with a lye by rubbing it against these objects. Or you can take a son-in-law not a needle, but a paper clip, the principle is the same. Next, insert the needle or wire into the cardboard. Install it and watch its movements. It should point towards the north. Next, we apply the cardinal points to the south, in the appropriate order. That's it, the cardboard compass is ready! This can be a gift for a child to learn orienteering, your child will be happy!
How to make a cut and a hole in a compass
How to make a compass in 3d? To do this, you need to draw the correct drawing. There should be several such drawings from different sides. Top view, left side and inside. This is all done with the help of different programs that are made specifically for these purposes. They are easy enough to use. On the drawing, you need to indicate the main markings, they are indicated by a thick line. Thanks to this method, you can make different types.
A lot has been written about the compass for children, but we will try to sort out this issue with a child of 6 years old. Let's draw a compass using a ruler. Let's watch a video about a compass for children, find out what this device is used for and the history of its creation. Let's make a compass with our own hands. The purpose of this lesson is to understand the cardinal directions.
- A little information
- Compass drawing with child
- We make a compass with our own hands
- Video for children on the topic
Hello dear readers, last time we talked through a homemade game, which made it possible for the child to understand that you can come to the desired place using the map. In the case of our game, it was a watering hole for savannah animals. Today, my son and I will analyze such an indispensable device as a compass.
Definition of a compass for children
A compass is a device with which a person can determine the direction of the world: north, south, west, east.
In ancient times, ships had to swim, not moving far from the coast, in order to know where they were. Sailors found their way using landmarks. Once people discovered that if you hang a magnet (a piece of magnetic iron ore), it will always point north. The magnet was nicknamed the guiding stone, and that is how the first compass appeared. Now sailors could sail far from the coast and discover new lands.
On the first maps, compasses were drawn, pointing to the East - or, as it was called in Latin, Orientus - considered at that time the center of the world. The ability to find your way with a compass and a map is called orientation. To do this, you need to know how the cardinal directions are called. To remember them, we will draw a picture.
Drawing of a compass by a child
During the compass lesson for children, try to pass information through different channels. In this case, we do it by hand. And since my boy, who is less than 6 years old, is in the 2nd grade, I need to develop the skill of using a ruler, determining the degrees of angles. For the drawing we needed:
- a sheet of thick paper;
- ruler for measuring angles;
- glass (you can use a protractor);
- colour pencils.
We have a simple compass at home, which I put in front of the child, and at first we discussed its purpose. Then I suggested drawing this device, asking how we could make a big circle and another smaller one? At first, Alexander suggested a lid for a jar, but the different lids were almost the same size, which left us no room for designations. There was a glass of water in front of his son, and looking around his room for circles, he offered both ends of the glass.
Of course, you can use a protractor and we will definitely study this tool later, but at the moment I am more interested in developing the ability to “get out of the situation in different ways”. This is for us adults, such things are something ordinary, but not for a preschooler. So, the child draws 2 circles, one inside the other.
Now, we determine with the help of a ruler, 90 degrees and draw the inner circle into 4 parts. I decided to explain to my son immediately the intermediate directions, for this he measured the middle from 90, that is, 45 degrees. Having a compass in front of my eyes, it was easy for me to explain to the child the cardinal directions: NE (northeast), SE (southeast), SW (southwest) and NW (northwest).
It remains only to color and draw a compass for children - ready. On ancient maps, the end of the arrow pointing north was decorated with a lily pattern. I helped Alexander draw it, and my boy carefully painted the device with the chosen colors and signed the directions.
DIY compass - experiment
Of course, we all remember from the children's bench, this easy experiment, for which we need:
- container with water;
- 2 needles;
- magnet;
- float from a piece of cork.
First we read a wonderful book on English language“What makes a magnet” from the Let’s read and find out science series. If you have the opportunity to purchase books in this series, be sure to do it, I ordered from Amazon. We started reading during the event. And this time, we repeated the information that the planet Earth has a magnetic field and conducted an experiment that shows a mouse.
About the compass for children, you can’t explain better than during the experiment, when the child will see with his own eyes how it works. So:
- We put one needle aside, and draw the sharp tip of the second in one direction along the magnet 30-50 times.
- We bring the magnetized end of the needle to another needle and check if it is attracted.
- We put on a float - we pierce a floating piece of an object with a magnetized needle.
- Dip in the water in the middle of the bowl.
Now it remains only to observe how the sharp end will stop looking clearly to the north. For clarity, we put our drawing below. Also give the child the opportunity to compare the readings of the needle with the real compasses - they must match.
Now it remains only to give a magnet and offer to bring it closer to the float. The child himself will understand that the compass readings can be violated if there is another magnet nearby. Alexander liked it so much that he drove the “arrow” like a boat in different directions, for a good half an hour.
Compass video for kids
It's no secret that children perfectly absorb information from cartoons. On the topic of the compass, I found several videos suitable for us by age. In the first place, I will put the unique Fixies, who will talk about this device with a sense of humor.
The second place will be taken by the educational cartoon “Why does the compass point north?”. And although the pronunciation of the speaker frankly annoys me, I did not find a more informative video.
And the third one is about the well-known Innovators, I put it because my son liked it. But personally, I find it difficult for a child to get information from a video about where the compass was invented. Although the creators tried to show just that.
Riddles about the compass for children
I like to diversify my classes by reading books, poems on the topic, and sometimes riddles. All answers in the quatrains provided are a compass.
It will lie all over in the palm of your hand.
Not a clock - but an arrow is.
It will come in handy on the road
You can't get lost anywhere with him.
I can find my way everywhere
A true friend helps.
It will always show exactly:
This is north, this is south.
Both in the taiga and in the ocean
He will find any way.
Fits in your pocket
And he leads us.
The arrow swings back and forth,
Shows us north and south without difficulty.
Always sits under glass
Looking in all directions:
Useful in the forest and in the field -
won't let you get lost.
A crossword puzzle is interesting for the child and allows the parent to check the acquired knowledge. When Alexander and I passed, I already did a crossword puzzle and I know that my boy loves such things. All answers were given correctly after our classes and watching educational cartoons.
Questions:
- The compass indicates the direction to ... (north)
- What can ruin the compass readings? (magnet)
- This direction is to the right of north (east)
- The rotating part of the compass (arrow)
- There are south, north and magnetic (pole)
- In which country did the first compasses appear? (China)
Well, dear readers, I hope that you are interested in traveling with us to this diverse world of geography. Today I tried to show how easy it is to explain the compass to children. And next time we will try to make the first card with the child. In order not to miss the news of the blog, subscribe to the newsletter, I am sure that it will be not only informative, but also interesting.
Do you urgently need to determine the direction, but there is no compass at hand? Learn how to make a compass at home, and make it from materials that are sure to be found in any home.
Compass made of thread and needle
Rub the tip of the needle with silk for a few minutes. Tie a thread to the needle and hang it by this thread. The end of the needle rubbed with a cloth will point to the north. This method can also be used in field conditions. He's much more reliable. folk signs allows you to determine the desired direction.
needle and water device
To create a compass, you will need a needle, magnet, cork or styrofoam, and a non-metal bowl of water. First, process the needle. Attach a magnet to one end of it and leave for 10-20 minutes. The other end needs to be demagnetized. To do this, hold it over the flame of a lighter or match for a few seconds. If you can't find a magnet, look around your apartment carefully. You will almost certainly find a magnet on the refrigerator or on the cabinet door.
After the needle is processed, mark the magnetized end with any color and proceed to the construction of a home compass. Pour water into a bowl. Place the needle on the foam floating on the surface of the water. Place the bowl on a stable surface. You will see that the needle of your homemade compass turns, pointing north with its magnetized end.
Paperclip compass
Magnetize one end of the paperclip using any magnet or a piece of silk. Put a paper clip on a piece of paper, and lower this piece of paper on the surface of the water. It is important that the sheet used for the compass does not touch the edges of the bowl, and that there are no drafts and any air movement in the place where you are going to determine the cardinal points using a homemade device. The magnetized end of the paperclip will point north.
Blade and battery compass
If you're out in the field and don't have a magnet or silk cloth, you can build a compass out of a blade, battery, and wire. If you have a coil of insulated wire, then wind it around the blade, making 5-7 turns. If there is no insulation, then first wrap the blade with one layer of paper, and then wind the wire. Connect the wires to the battery by connecting one of them to the "plus" and the second to the "minus". The higher the battery voltage, the better, but not less than 2.
Leave this design for an hour, and then free the blade by disconnecting the wires. Put it on a leaf and lower it into the water. The part of the blade that was last turn the wire leading to the "minus" will turn to the north, and the side connected to the "plus" will turn to the south. The blade can be replaced with a needle or a paper clip. The main thing is that it should be a light metal object, by the shape of which you can understand where it points.
