(Homonym: Pole, poll).
1. A long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic.
2. A long fiberglass implement used for pole vaulting.
3. One of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated; SYN. magnetic pole.
4. One of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface.
5. One of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions; or.
6. One of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere; SYN. celestial pole.
Unit of area equal to a square rod.
Either of the geographic north and south points of the axis about which the Earth rotates. The geographic poles differ from the magnetic poles, which are the points toward which a freely suspended magnetic needle will point.
In 1985 the magnetic north pole was some 350 km/218 mi nw of Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada. It moves northward about 10 km/6 mi each year, although it can vary in a day about 80 km/50 mi from its average position. It is relocated every decade in order to update navigational charts.
It is thought that periodic changes in the Earth's core cause a reversal of the magnetic poles (see polar reversal, magnetic field). Many animals, including migrating birds and fish, are believed to orient themselves partly using the Earth's magnetic field. A permanent scientific base collects data at the South Pole. + prikaži više