| Compasses have been used for centuries by | | | | Another apparatus that uses electromagnetic |
| sailors navigating through the seas and | | | | induction and magnetic fields is the generator. This |
| astronomers gazing to the stars. A Lensatic | | | | amazing piece of machinery was created by |
| compass is one of the many kinds of compasses | | | | Michael Faraday in 1831. Used to convert |
| available and has a dial instead of a needle. Due to | | | | mechanical energy to electrical energy, one cannot |
| its sophisticated nature, one should know how to | | | | help but wonder how do generators work? |
| use a Lensatic compass. | | | | The answer to the question is quite complicated, |
| 1) First, you have to know how to read a | | | | although it is based on a simple principle. When |
| Lensatic compass. The compass face is divided | | | | opposite magnetic poles face each other, invisible |
| into 6400 units. One unit is equivalent to 1 meter | | | | lines or magnetic flux connect them. When these |
| of separation at a distance of 1,000 meters. | | | | lines are cut by an electrical conductor, an |
| 2) Next, you have to know how to take a | | | | electrical current is produced. This is called |
| bearing. Place it in your hand, with the cover | | | | electromagnetic induction. |
| perpendicular to the compass card. The lens | | | | Generators basically function on the same idea, |
| should be at a 45º angle and your thumb | | | | although their design allows them to generate |
| should be in the thumb hook for stabilization. Read | | | | more power. The movement of the conductors is |
| the bearings in relevance to an object by moving | | | | usually generated by combustion. There are some |
| the compass up and down. | | | | models which spin the magnet and allow the flux |
| 3) After you've taken the bearing of a landmark, | | | | to be cut by stationary conductors. Generators |
| it is possible to follow it even if the landmark is | | | | are used commonly in cars, where it provides |
| not visible. However, you have to occasionally | | | | electrical energy and charges the battery. |
| check to see if you're going the right way. | | | | These two objects, Lensatic compass and |
| Lensatic compasses are highly accurate models | | | | generator, although seem vastly different, are |
| and are currently used by the U.S Army. There | | | | actually connected in more ways than one. They |
| are several things that set it apart from | | | | both involve magnetic fields and electromagnetic |
| conventional compasses, namely the fact that it | | | | induction in one way or another. So, the next time |
| uses electromagnetic induction instead of fluid to | | | | you wonder how to use a Lensatic compass, or |
| dampen the needle. It is also dependant on the | | | | how do generators work, wonder no more. |
| Earth's magnetic field for its operation. | | | | |