My acquaintance with this simple and mysterious device took place in my distant wonderful childhood, when the whole family went to pick mushrooms. I was given a simple student's permit compass and provided instructions on terrain orientation. Having successfully gotten lost, I pulled out the navigation device, freed the treasured arrow - and went in the direction it indicated. Fortunately, the case ended well - they found me. Let's figure out together what this compass is, and also, with its help, take a short trip into the past.
What is a compass?
This is special a device with the ability to indicate the direction of the Earth's magnetic poles regardless of your location. Sailors, in order to emphasize their difference from land inhabitants, flaunt the pronunciation “kompAs”.
Structurally, compasses are:
- magnetic. The most common and easiest compass to make. Its action is based on one of the properties of a magnet - the device's arrow is always parallel to the planet's magnetic field lines(remember school experiences with iron filings?);
- electromagnetic. These compasses work like electric generators and, unlike the above, not influenced by other magnets. Such a device was first successfully tested in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh in his famous flight across Atlantic Ocean;
- gyrocompasses. Founded based on the gyroscope principle, such devices are widely used in marine navigation. Possess important feature indicate not magnetic, but geographic pole .
Invention of the compass
There are several theories regarding the appearance of the compass (for example, followers of the Samothracian mysteries back in the 3rd century BC knew about the properties of a magnet and used it in their rituals, and excavations of camps nomadic peoples Mediterranean evidence indicates their familiarity with the “magic arrow”), but, nevertheless, palm in this issue holds. First magnetic compass saw the light during the reign Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). Despite detailed description its device to the scientist Shen Ko, the real inventor of the ingenious device, alas, is unknown.
The text of the work is posted without images and formulas.
Full version work is available in the "Work Files" tab in PDF format
If you go on a hike, you ford a river,
To the left and onto the slope - Expand your horizons
Take me with you, I'll bring you home
I know the north, I know the south - You won’t get lost, my friend.
(Samuel Marshak)
In the lesson of the surrounding world, we comprehend the secrets of our common home - the wonderful planet Earth. When studying the section “How people understand the world”, the topic “Device and Tools”, I was interested in the question from the textbook, “What other devices do you know?” And I remembered about the compass.
Goal of the work: Realize the importance of man's discovery of the compass and its role in the development of civilization
Tasks:
Explore further reading. Learn to navigate in space without a compass at hand. Make homemade compass with your own hands.
Object of study: compass
Research hypothesis:
I assume that using a compass made from improvised materials you can determine the sides of the horizon at home.
Research methods: exploratory, descriptive, theoretical and practical.
Chapter 1
History of the creation of the compass
Man began to travel a very long time ago. Most of the first sea travelers got off course. The man realized that without special device he is doomed to long search the right path. So, an amazing thing was invented ancient invention compass for determining the sides of the horizon.
Presumably it was first created in Ancient China back in the 3rd century BC. The word “compass” itself comes from the ancient British “compass”, meaning circle (see Fig. 1 Appendix No. 1).
The Chinese knew that a magnet attracts iron. They knew the property of a magnet - to indicate the direction of north and south. The Chinese compass was a long-handled spoon made of magnetized iron. The spoon was placed on a smooth wooden stand with divisions with zodiac signs, spun it, and it stopped. The convex part of the spoon rotated easily on the plate. The stalk always pointed south. In this form, the Chinese compass in the 12th century. borrowed by the Arabs.
In the 14th century Italian Flavio Gioia improved this device. He placed the magnetic needle on the vertical pin. This improved the performance of the compass. A card (light circle) was attached to the arrow, divided into 16 points (see Fig. 2 Appendix No. 2).
Two centuries later, the division of the card was 32 points. Already by XVIII century The compass becomes a rather complex device, indicating not only the direction, but also the time.
The device of Andrianov's compass
In our country, the most common compass is the Andrianov system. (see Fig. 3 Appendix No. 3).
It consists of 5 parts: compass body, sighting ring, magnetic needle, dial (dial), clamp.
A properly working compass always has a blue arrow pointing north, while a red arrow, accordingly, points exactly the opposite - to the south.
1.3 Operating principle
Before using the compass, you need to check it by placing it on horizontal surface and wait until the arrow freezes, showing where north is. Then you need to bring any metal object to the device. Under the influence of a magnet, the arrow will deflect in its direction. We remove metal from the field of action and observe our arrow.
If our compass is working properly, then the arrow will certainly turn in the direction initial position on North.
Chapter 2: 2.1 Practical part. Orientation based on local natural features
Professions such as geologist, pilot and sailor are inextricably linked with knowledge of the compass .
Sometimes when hiking or in the forest, it is important to know the exact direction of the path so as not to get lost. You can understand where is north and where is south by local characteristics (see Fig. 4,5,6,7,8 Appendix No. 4. ) Mosses and lichens grow on tree trunks, stumps, and stones on the north side. Birch trees have bark south side whiter and cleaner than the northern ones. The tree crown is more luxuriant on the south side. Ants make homes to the south of the tree. Snow melts in the spring on the south-facing mountain slopes.
But not all signs are reliable, therefore, in order to orient yourself correctly, in sunny weather at noon, you need to stand with your back to the sun so that the shadow is exactly in front of the person. Then he will have north in front, south behind him, east on his right, west on his left. (see Fig. 9 Appendix No. 5).
2.2 Making a homemade compass
There are many ways to make a simple compass from improvised materials, at home and in the field. Let's look at it in detail.
To make a compass you will need a needle, paper, scissors, two beads of red and blue colors, and a container of water (see Fig. 10,11,12,13 Appendix No. 6.) The needle will serve as a magnetic needle - an indicator of the cardinal directions. The base for the arrow will be a light floating material, such as paper.
Pour water into a medium-sized container. The needle must be applied to the scissors and rubbed vigorously in one direction. This is how the magnetization process occurs (see Fig. 14 Appendix No. 7) .
Cut a circle out of paper and pierce it with our needle (see Fig. 15 Appendix No. 7) . Thread on a needle beads (see Fig. 16 Appendix No. 7).
Place the homemade compass in a container of water (see Fig. 17 Appendix No. 7) . A properly made compass should move for some time. If it stands still, the piece of metal must be magnetized again. If you did everything correctly, the compass placed on the water will rotate slowly. When the improvised magnetic needle stops moving, its magnetized side will point to the cardinal directions (south - a needle at the end of a fixed red bead, north - a corresponding blue bead) (see Fig. 18 Appendix No. 7).
In camping conditions, to make a compass you will need any piece of metal: a needle, a pin, a paper clip, metal wire, whatever is at hand. The base for the arrow will be a lightweight floating material, such as a sponge, cork, foam plastic, or a sheet of wood.
In order for a piece of metal to begin to function as an indicator of the cardinal directions, it must be sharpened and magnetized against fabric, fur, or iron. As a last resort, you can use your own hair for magnetization. A piece of metal must be applied to the selected object and rubbed vigorously in one direction and the metal lowered into the puddle. The magnetized end of the metal will point north.
CONCLUSION
During its research work, I confirmed my hypothesis that with the help of a compass made from improvised materials you can determine the sides of the horizon at home, I learned the history of the creation and design of the compass. I learned how to use this device, which was difficult for me.
I believe that the knowledge gained will allow me and the guys to determine the cardinal directions with complete confidence in any place, regardless of weather conditions and time of day.
In the future, I plan to attend the school tourist sports club "Maximum", the leader of which is a geography teacher, a member of the Russian Geographical Society Republic of Bashkortostan Yusupov Ilnur Gainislamovich. Thanks to him, an associated school of the Russian Geographical Society is being created in our school.
Thank you for your attention!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://otvet.mail.ru/question/5173277
https://otvet.mail.ru/question/58499957
Degterev, N.D. Pointer magnetic compasses [Text] / N.D. Degterev. - Leningrad, 1984
Zarapin, V.G. Scientific experiments at the dacha [Text] / V.G. Zarapin, Pyannikova O.O., Yakovleva M.A. - Moscow, 2014
Kozhukhov, V.P. and others. Magnetic compasses [Text] / V.P. Kozhukhov. - Moscow, 1981
Feoktistova, V.F., Research and project activities junior schoolchildren. Recommendations for teachers [Text] / V.F. Feoktistova. - Volgograd: Uchitel Publishing House, 2010
APPENDIX No. 1. An ancient invention of the Chinese.
Rice. 1 It was first created in Ancient China in the 3rd century BC
APPENDIX No. 2. Device of the Italian Flavio Gioia
Rice. 2 In the 14th century. Italian Flavio Gioia improved this device. He placed the magnetic needle on the vertical pin. I attached a card (light circle) to the arrow, divided into 16 points.
APPENDIX No. 3. Andrianov’s compass
Rice. 3 The device of Andrianov’s compass
APPENDIX No. 4. Orientation based on local characteristics
Mosses and lichens grow on tree trunks, stumps, and stones on the north side
Birch trees have whiter, cleaner bark on the southern side than on the northern side.
The tree crown is more luxuriant on the south side.
Ants make homes to the south of the tree.
Snow melts in the spring on the south-facing mountain slopes.
APPENDIX No. 5. Orientation in sunny weather
Rice. 9 In sunny weather at noon, you need to stand with your back to the sun so that the shadow is exactly in front of the person. Then he will have north in front, south behind him, east on his right, and west on his left.
APPENDIX No. 6. To make a compass you need
Rice. 10 Water container
Rice. 11 Scissors
Rice. 12 Needle, two beads red and blue
Fig.13 Paper
APPENDIX No. 7. Making a compass at home
Fig. 14 The needle is intensively three in one direction. This is how the process works
magnetization.
Rice. 15 Cut out a circle from paper and pierce it with our needle
Rice. 16 Thread beads onto a needle
Rice. 17 We lower the homemade compass into a container of water.
Fig. 18 The magnetized side of the needle always stops, pointing exactly north
The creation of the compass and its widespread implementation gave impetus not only to geographical discoveries, but also made it possible to better understand the relationship between electric and magnetic fields. After the use of the compass began, new industries began to appear scientific knowledge.
The compass with a magnetic needle revealed to humanity not only Earth, but also physical world in all its diversity.
The primacy in the discovery of the properties of the compass is disputed by several: Indians, Arabs and Chinese, Italians, and British. Today it is very difficult to reliably determine who owns the credit for inventing the compass. Many conclusions are drawn only on assumptions made by historians, archaeologists and physicists. Unfortunately, many testimonies and documents that could shed light on this issue have not survived or have survived to this day in a distorted form.
Where did the compass first appear?
One of the most common versions says that the compass was introduced to China about years ago (“From the astrolabe to navigation systems”, V. Koryakin, A. Khrebtov, 1994). The pieces of ore, which had the miraculous property of attracting small metal objects, were called by the Chinese “loving stone” or “stone mother's love" Residents of China were the first to pay attention to the properties of the magic stone. If it was shaped into an oblong object and hung on a thread, it would occupy a certain position, pointing one end to the south and the other to the north.
It was surprising that the “arrow”, deviated from its position, after oscillations, again occupied its original position. Chinese chronicles contain indications that travelers used the property of magnetic stone to determine the correct position when moving through deserts when the sky was not visible. daylight and stars.
The first Chinese compass was used when caravans moved through the Gobi Desert.
Much later, the magnet began to be used for navigation. According to Chinese sources, approximately at V-IV centuries before new era sailors began to use a metal needle, rubbed with a magnetic stone and suspended on a silk thread. It is surprising that at that time the compass did not reach India and Europe, because at that time communications were already being established between China and these regions. But the Greeks of those times do not mention.
It is believed that the compass came to Europe no earlier than the 3rd century BC through Arab sailors who plied the waters Mediterranean Sea. But some researchers do not rule out that this useful device was re-invented, who independently discovered the effect produced by a magnetic device suspended on a thin thread.
The compass is a surprisingly ancient invention, despite the relative complexity of its design. Presumably, this mechanism was first created in Ancient China back in the 3rd century BC. Later it was borrowed by the Arabs, through whom this device came to Europe.
History of the compass in ancient China
In the 3rd century BC, in a Chinese treatise, a philosopher named Hen Fei-tzu described the device of the Sonnan, which is “in charge of the south.” It was a small spoon with a rather massive convex part, polished to a shine, and a thin small one. The spoon was placed on a copper plate, also well polished, so that there was no friction. The handle should not touch the plate; it would remain hanging in the air. Signs of the cardinal directions were applied to the plate, which in Ancient China were associated with signs. The convex part of the spoon rotated easily on the plate if you pushed it a little. And in this case the stalk always pointed to the south.
Scientists believe that the shape of the magnet's arrow - a spoon - was not chosen by chance, it symbolized Ursa Major, or “Heavenly Bucket,” as the ancient Chinese called this constellation. This device did not work very well, because before perfect condition It was impossible to polish the plate and spoon, and friction caused errors. In addition, it was difficult to manufacture, since magnetite is difficult to process and is a very fragile material.
In the 11th century, several versions of the compass were created in China: a floating one in the form of an iron fish with water, a magnetized needle, and others.
Further history of the compass
In the 12th century, the Chinese floating compass was borrowed by the Arabs, although some researchers are inclined to believe that the Arabs were the authors of this invention. In the 13th century, the compass came to Europe: first to Italy, after which it appeared among the Spaniards, Portuguese, and French - those nations that were distinguished by advanced navigation. This medieval compass looked like a magnetic needle attached to a plug and lowered into the water.
In the 14th century, the Italian inventor Gioia created a more accurate compass design: the needle was put on a pin in a vertical position, and a reel with sixteen points was attached to it. In the 17th century, the number of points of reference increased, and to prevent the ship's pitching from affecting the accuracy of the compass, a gimbal was installed.
The compass turned out to be the only navigation device that allowed European sailors to navigate the open sea and go on long journeys. This was the impetus for the Great Geographical Discoveries. This device also played a role in the development of ideas about the magnetic field, its relationship with the electric one, which led to the formation modern physics.
Later, new types of compass appeared - electromagnetic, gyrocompass, electronic.
Video on the topic
Magnetic compass is one of the greatest discoveries in the history of mankind. It was thanks to this device that the Great geographical discoveries.
What is a compass and what is it for?
A compass is an amazing device, using which you can always determine your exact location relative to the cardinal directions. Undoubtedly, his invention is one of greatest achievements humanity, thanks to which all the great geographical discoveries were made. The invention of this device has the same significance for navigation as the beginning of the use of gunpowder in warfare. Thanks to the compass, on new level cartography rose.
To accurately plot routes (primarily by sea), you need to know where you are and in which direction you are heading. Ancient sailors determined their location using the sun and stars. But they were not always visible. In the old days, ships tried not to go out into the open sea and stayed close to the shores. Using landmarks on the shore, sailors determined their position.
Only the invention of the compass and sextant made it possible to make long journeys and discover distant lands. It is not known exactly who invented the compass. It is believed that this device was invented in ancient China. However, then it was repeatedly improved, and the device that exists today bears very little resemblance to its distant ancestor.
The principle of operation of the compass is that the magnetic needle interacts with magnetic field The earth and is located along power lines planets.
Simply put, the magnetic needle will always be rotated along the Earth's magnetic line. One end of it will point to the North magnetic pole our planet, and the second - to the South Pole.
Invention of the compass
Which people were the first to think of using the Earth's magnetic field to determine their exact position relative to the cardinal directions? Scientists believe that they were Chinese.
Historians suggest that the first compass was invented in China during the Han Dynasty. It was the Chinese who discovered amazing properties magnetic iron ore. True, they first used this mineral not for navigation, but for fortune telling. Their description can be found in the ancient Chinese treatise Lunheng.
The Chinese were the first to use magnetized iron to determine the cardinal directions. The name of the scientist is even called - Shen Gua, who lived during the Song Dynasty. At first, magnetic iron was cast special forms, which were then placed in a vessel with water. In 1119, Zhu Yu proposed using a needle compass. This is reported in the Chinese treatise “Table Talk in Ningzhou”.
There is a description of another ancient Chinese compass, made in the form of a spoon with a thin handle. The spoon was made from magnetic material. It was placed on a polished surface so that the handle of the spoon did not touch the surface. It was he who showed the cardinal directions. The polished surface was often decorated with signs of the Zodiac or symbols of countries around the world.
This device is considered one of the four great Chinese inventions: gunpowder, paper, printing and compass. But, as you understand, information about that distant era is quite vague and uncertain, so many scientists doubt it.
Compass in Europe and the East
It is believed that the ancient Chinese used a compass to travel through deserts. Chinese ships were also equipped with it.
In the 12th century, a similar device appeared among the Arabs. It remains not entirely clear whether they themselves invented it or borrowed it from the Chinese. In Europe, the compass appeared in the 12th or 13th century. Some scientists believe that Europeans borrowed its device from the Arabs, others argue that they came up with this invention on their own. Italian sailors were the first to use the compass.
Mentions of this device can be found among the Kipchaks in 1282 and among al-Makrizi. They both describe the use of a compass at sea. It was adopted from the Italians by the Spaniards and Portuguese, and then by the British and French. It was the use of this device that allowed Europeans to discover new continents, cross oceans and make the first trip around the world.
What did the first instruments look like?
At that time, the compass was very different from the device we are used to seeing today. At first it was a container of water in which a piece of wood or cork floated, and a magnetic needle was inserted into it. To protect the vessel from wind and water, they began to cover it with glass.
This device was not very accurate. The magnetic needle resembled a thick needle. It is worth adding that the first devices were very expensive, and only very wealthy people. Then this device was improved.
In the 14th century, the Italian scientist Flavio Gioia proposed placing a magnetic needle on vertical axis, and attach a coil to the arrow, dividing it into 16 points. The sailors really liked this innovation. A century later, the reel was already divided into 32 points, and it became even more convenient. The compass itself began to be placed in a special suspension to reduce the influence of sea motion on it.
IN XVII century a direction finder appeared - a special ruler with sights, which was attached to the lid. The device has become even more convenient.
Modern devices
Nowadays, despite the advent of satellite navigation and gyrocompass, an ordinary magnetic compass continues to serve people faithfully. Of course, modern devices bear little resemblance to their medieval predecessors. They are made using latest technologies and materials.
Today, an ordinary magnetic compass is most often used by tourists, geologists, climbers, travelers and simply lovers of excursions and hikes. Ships and planes have long been using other, more advanced devices. An electromagnetic compass that eliminates interference from the metal hull of a ship, a gyrocompass that accurately points to the geographic pole or satellite navigation devices.
But of all the instruments that indicate the direction and cardinal directions, a regular compass is the simplest and most unpretentious. It does not require electricity, it is simple, convenient and reliable. And he will always point you in the right direction to a safe harbor.