The compass by Annette Lamb

original template by Ray Lam, Fall 97

revised template by Rachel Shorey and Steve Bergen 2/9/98

First Base

Finding the basic who, where, when facts. This was done for Ms. Carlson and Mr. Holister in October 97.

Second Base

Expository Writing Paragraphs for Ms. Snyder and Mr. Carey in December 97.

Third Base

Creative Writing Paragraphs for Ms. Snyder and Mr. Carey in March 98.

Home Plate

"Guestimating" and "Analysis" Paragraphs for Ms. Lucenta and Mr. Toubman in May 98.

Left Field Center Field Right Field

Graphics from Electives: Pictures drawn for Ms. Swayze in Visual Arts, Mr. Bergen in CP1 and a movie for Ms. McElroy in Drama (too big to post on web, but we are making our own CD-ROM!

Sources

The compass is a device that is used for navigation at sea or on land. The sizes vary from about the size of a watch to the size of a dinner plate. The weight of a compass depends on its size but a small compass doesnŐt weigh much. A typical, liquid magnetic compass consists of a liquid-filled bowl in which a floating card usually made of mica or aluminum, is attached to a small, floating hemisphere. The hemisphere float is supported by a pivoted, jeweled cap. A ring magnet is beneath the card which has its magnetic axis parallel to the north-south markings on the card. A pointer inside of the bowl is in line with the bow (the front) of the boat. The magnet always remains parallel to the EarthŐs magnetic field. The compass was invented in 1117 in China. Today we have no firm evidence on the inventor of the compass but we believe it was invented by the Chinese. The compass was first used by Mediterranean seamen in the 12th century. The compass was invented for better navigation at sea. On sea voyages before compasses, they used other peopleŐs logs from previous journeys and the stars such as the north star which they knew was in the north.. They also couldnŐt stray far from land because they could become lost at sea if they voyaged out to far.