What will likely happen to a magnetic compass when flying through turbulence?

When flying through turbulence, a magnetic compass may give erratic readings. This phenomenon occurs because the compass is responsive to changes in the aircraft's orientation and can be influenced by the rapid changes in altitude and attitude that are often experienced during turbulent conditions.

The compass relies on a magnetized needle that aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field. When the aircraft moves abruptly due to turbulence, the compass can struggle to stabilize and may momentarily indicate a direction different from the actual heading. This erratic behavior can mislead the pilot, making it challenging to maintain a steady course.

In calm conditions, the compass provides steady and accurate readings. However, during turbulence, the physical forces acting on the aircraft can cause the compass to oscillate or yield unpredictable movements, leading to inaccurate navigation readings. Understanding this characteristic of the magnetic compass is essential for pilots to exercise caution when relying solely on it in turbulent conditions.