A Compass is a magnet that points north. It works because the magnet points towards the magnetic fields that are in the northern hemisphere. The magnetism in the magnet and magnetic fields cause each other to attract. The magnetic field isn’t strong enough to pull the magnet towards it but it is strong enough to cause it to point to its location.
If the earth poles were to switch the magnet will face true north for example if 1 represents north(up) and 2 represent south(down) then they switch 1 is down and 2 is up then the magnetic needle will face down. The Magnetic field switches every 1000 years. A compass has magnetic poles and the earth has poles and when you have your compass out the needle faces that pole it may be north or south.
If the earth poles were to switch the magnet will face true north for example if 1 represents north(up) and 2 represent south(down) then they switch 1 is down and 2 is up then the magnetic needle will face down. The Magnetic field switches every 1000 years. A compass has magnetic poles and the earth has poles and when you have your compass out the needle faces that pole it may be north or south.