Danny Thomson, age 11, of Bee Branch, Ark., for his question:

WHY DOES THE COMPASS ALWAYS POINT NORTH?

A compass is a device for determining directions. In the simplest form of compass, a magnetic needle is used. The needle is mounted on a pivot so that it can move freely. Because the needle is magnetized, the needle will always point in the direction of the magnetic north and south poles.

Back in the 1000s or 1100s, the Chinese and Mediterranean navigators were most likely the first to use magnetic compasses to guide their ships. The early compasses were simple pieces of magnetic iron, usually floated on straw or cork in a bowl of water.

About the 1300s, the compass card was marked off into 32 points of direction. The cardinal points are north, east, south and west.