Compass Direction & Bearing

State the compass direction between two different points

Measure the compass bearing between two points.

Lesson Objective

Recap: Naughty Elephant Splash Water (NESW)

Four-figure grid references

1. Locate the grid square

2. Mark a X at the bottom left hand corner of that grid square (grid reference/ intersection point).

3. Read the Easting

4. Read the Northing

Recap

Six-figure grid references

1. Locate the grid square

2. Mark a X at the bottom left hand corner of that grid square (grid reference/ intersection point).

3. Divide into ten equal parts.

4. Read the Easting

5. Read the Northing

Recap

Compass Direction

A compass has four basic points: North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W)

The points can be further divided into eight compass points

Compass Direction

Keyword: ‘from’

When identifying direction, take note of the word ‘from’, which stands for the point you are taking direction from/start point.

Identifying Compass Direction

Q1: Find the compass direction of the clinic from the market.

Steps to identify compass direction (p.44)

Steps

1. Draw right-angled cross on the location/ start point.

2. Indicate cardinal points on the cross (NESW).

3. Draw a straight line to join the two points (e.g. market and clinic)

4. State the compass direction.

Steps to identify compass direction (p.44)

The direction of the clinic from the market is northeast.

Q1: Find the compass direction of the clinic from the market.

Q2: Find the compass direction of the market from the clinic.

12

Market

Clinic

Answer: Southwest

Q3: Find the compass direction of the pool from the library.

13

Library

Pool

Answer: Northwest

Q4: Find the compass direction of the library from the pool.

14

Library

Pool

Answer: Southeast

Compass Bearing

Compass Bearing

Compass bearings are compass directions between two points measured in degrees

More precise than compass directions

Measured at an angle clockwise from the north

Geographical Investigations and Skills16

Q5. Find the compass bearing of location B from A. (compass bearing less than 180°)

Steps:

1. Place a right-angled cross on Location A

2. Indicate the cardinal points on the cross (N)

3. Draw a straight line between the Locations A and B

Geographical Investigations and Skills17

A

B

N

Q5. Find the compass bearing of location B from A. (compass bearing less than 180°)

Steps:

4. Place a protractor on the paper such that the centre of the protractor is on Location A

5. Read clockwise from 0° to get the compass bearing

Geographical Investigations and Skills18

A

B

N

Q6.Finding compass bearing of location B from locations A. (Compass bearing more than 180°

Steps:

Repeat step 1 – 3 –

4. Turn the protractor around and measure the angle.

5. Add 180° to the bearing measured by the protractor in a clockwise direction

Geographical Investigations and Skills19

B

A

N

Steps

1. Place a right-angled cross on Location A

2. Indicate the cardinal points on the cross (N)

3. Draw a straight line between the Locations A and B

4. Place a protractor on the paper such that the centre of the protractor is on Location A

5. Read clockwise from 0° to get the compass bearing

Steps to identify compass bearing (p.45)

Steps

Compass bearing more than 180°

Repeat step 1 – 3

4. Turn the protractor around and measure the angle.

5. Add 180° to the bearing measured by the protractor in a clockwise direction

Steps to identify compass bearing (p.45)

Practice Time!

State the compass direction of point A from point B.

State the compass bearing between two points.

Recap