The Digital Bits Science Labs are fun science experiments for young children. Kids, make sure you have an adult's permission before trying any of these science experiments.
Digital Bits Science Lab
Science Experiments for Kids, Parents and Teachers
Learn about a compass and earth’s magnetic poles
Description: The earth is a gigantic magnet. One end, located at the north pole, is what we use to determine “magnetic north”. This is the location that a compass will point to. You can make your own compass, and learn about magnets and the north pole.
Equipment needed:
Tape
String or thread
The Digital Bits Science Lab Experiment:
We need to identify one side of the magnet – put a piece of tape on one side. Tie the string around the bar magnet so the string is as close to the center as you can get. When you hang the magnet from the string, it should be pretty well balanced. Hang the magnet so it dangles in the air. Here’s what we’re trying to accomplish:
Next, flick the magnet so it spins. Watch it spin. After a while, it will stop spinning, and one side of the magnet will be pointing north. It does so because that end of the magnet is attracted to the Earth’s north pole. You can double-check by spinning the magnet, or even moving it out of position and then letting it go – the suspended magnet will spin and twist and point back towards north.
The Earth’s north pole is not an actual giant magnet. The north pole is created by effects from the Earth’s constant rotation and its molten iron core. But the effect is similar – it creates a magnetic field so strong, it affects the magnet we’re experimenting with here.
You can experiment to get an idea of size and strength of the Earth’s magnetic field: Take a piece of iron or steel, or any metal you can find that will attract to your magnet. Bring it underneath your suspended bar magnet. When you get close enough, the magnet will bend down and reach for your piece of metal:
Now move your piece of metal away. The bar magnet will turn back into a compass again: it will relax and reorient to point towards the Earth’s north pole. The Earth’s magnetic poles are so strong, and the magnetic fields so large, they affect magnets like your compass from anywhere on Earth!
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