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magnetic needle

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magnetic needle

a slender magnetized rod used in certain instruments, such as the magnetic compass, for indicating the direction of a magnetic field
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

magnetic needle

[mag′ned·ik ′nēd·əl]
(electromagnetism)
A bar magnet or collection of bar magnets which is hung so as to show the direction of the magnetic field.
In particular, a slender bar magnet, pointed at both ends, that is pivoted or freely suspended in a magnetic compass.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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