How does the compass react when a pilot accelerates on a southbound heading?

When a pilot accelerates on a southbound heading, the compass experiences a specific behavior due to acceleration. In this scenario, the compass does not turn or change position because it remains aligned with the Earth's magnetic field. Since the pilot is on a straight path and heading south, the compass continues to indicate the south heading consistently during acceleration.

The compass operates based on the magnetic forces that act upon it, and during uniform acceleration, the influence of these forces will keep the compass steady rather than cause it to rotate or swing. Understanding this behavior is crucial for pilots as it affects navigation and maintaining accurate headings during flight maneuvers.

Though other behaviors might be observed under different circumstances—such as turning or when experiencing turbulence—during a straightforward acceleration along a consistent heading, one can expect the compass to remain stable and directly pointed to magnetic south.