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WHAT WILL YOU DO?:
Chinese sailors learned that a particular rock, a lodestone, hung by a string would align itself in a north-south direction.
This rock was magnetic.
Magnets attract iron and certain other metals. In this activity you will conduct three demonstratons:
- magnetize paper clips;
- attract paper clips through a cup of water;
- and move paper clips through a maze without touching the clips!
You also will learn about the many uses of magnets. Magnetism is used in:
- a compass;
- an alarm;
- salvage yard equipment to lift tons of metals.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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Place the paper clips, penny, nickel, dime,
stamp, crayon and marble near the magnet. Which
objects do the magnet attract? Why? How many paper clips can the
magnet attract?
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Detach the paper clip(s) attach to the magnet.
What happens? (Your chain of paper clips falls apart.)
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MATERIALS:
Magnet
1/4" Poster Or Tag Board
Color Marking Pen
Clear Plastic Cup
20 Paper Clips
1 Dime
1 Nickel
1 Penny
1 Crayon
1 Marble
1 Postage Stamp
2-3 Metal Buttons
Transparent Tape
Water
Maze Pattern
Compass (Optional)
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Pour the water into the plastic cup. Can you attract the paper clips
through the plastic cup of water? How?
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Place a paper clip at the start of the maze. Place the magnet underneath the
poster board and the paper clip at the start of the maze.
Using the magnet drag the paper clip through the maze to the end without
crossing any of the lines.
Click here to see one of the paths through the maze!
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