Magnetic attraction is one of the most relevant phenomena in science and is considered by science teachers as a real "discrepant event", that is, a situation in which matter does not behave as children, from experience, expect. The phenomenon occurs when negative and positive particles in an object align specifically, generating an attraction or repulsion with neighboring particles. While not a strong enough or reliable attraction to use for industrial purposes, you can still magnetize a metal strip yourself as part of a science project.
Steps
Step 1. Discharge static electricity from your body and tools to the ground
You can do this by touching a metal object in contact with the ground, such as the stem of a table or a floor lamp.
Step 2. Hold the metal object (preferably an object that is long and thin) in the weak hand and at the same time the magnet in the strong hand
If possible, place the metal object on the palm of your hand to avoid wrapping the metal with your fingers. Your fingers can interfere with the project.
Step 3. Place the positive pole of the magnet on the nearest end of the metal object
Hold the magnet by the negative pole, avoiding placing your hand between the metal and the magnet.
Step 4. Rub the magnet along the entire length of the metal object, slowly and from end to end
Avoid contact between the negative pole and the metal. For best results, rub the magnet in a straight line without stopping.
Step 5. Rub the magnet a total of 10 times
The scrubbing should align the negative and positive particles within the object and thus magnetize it.
Step 6. Test the magnetic effect of your metal object by placing a paper clip on it and letting go
If the metal is magnetized, the paper clip will stick to the object.
Step 7. If there is no magnetic effect, rub the metal object with the magnet another 10 times
Repeat until you get the desired effect. If the effect does not occur after 50-100 rubs, try a new metal object and / or a stronger magnet.
Advice
- After learning how to polarize a magnet, you can let advanced students make an electromagnet out of a copper wire, a nail, and a battery. While this project involves the use of electricity, it does not require electricity that is strong enough to cause harm if a child accidentally touches the circuit.
- You can discharge the magnetic effect by sharply hitting the metal object on a solid surface; this will cause a misalignment of the charged particles. After that, you can magnetize the metal again as a second part of a science project.
