KCPL Kids - Science Experiment

Magnetic Charm

Did you know that you actually live on one huge magnet? That's right, the earth, like all magnets, has north and south magnetic poles.

One end of a magnet is its north magnetic pole. The other end is its south pole. If you hang a magnet on a string, one end will always point north.

Use a hanging magnet to learn about attraction and repulsion. Here's what you'll need:

Two magnets
String
A sewing needle
A small cork
A saucer or small plate filled with water

For the first part of this experiment, tie one of your magnets to the string. Now bring the north pole of your other magnet toward the north pole of the one on the string. The hanging magnet will spin around until its south pole meets the north pole of the other magnet. Just like we learned about static electricity, like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

Now rub your sewing needle against one of your magnets. Stick the needle through the small cork and let it float in your water-filled plate. Hold a magnet over the floating needle and watch how you can control its movements. By turning the magnet in your hand, you can attract or repel the needle.

Note: Information for this experiment provided courtesy of Boy Scouts of America.

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