Magnet Circus

General Purpose: To investigate magnetic force and field interactions.

Fill in the data table and draw/describe each station experiment.

You must indicate on your drawing or in your description where magnetic poles are repelling (+,+) or attracting (+,-)

Station Observation

Floating Magnets

Suspended Clip

Magnetic Bridge

Magnet Cars

Magnet Maze

Strange Attractor

Magnetic Field Lines

Floating MagnetsObjective: Investigate the interactions between

magnets.Materials: Pencil Ring MagnetsHypothesis: What happens when you put two

ring magnets on an upright pencil?

Procedure:Put two magnets on the pencil and diagram

what happens.Put more than two magnets on the pencil and

diagram what happens.Put the magnets in different positions and

diagram what happens.Make the magnets bounceCan you get a magnet to jump off the pencil

Questions1. Why does the magnet float on one side and

not on the other?2. Where is the north seeking pole on a ring

magnet?3. What would happen if the pencil wasn’t

there?4. What happens to the spaces between the

magnets as you add more?5. How do you get the top magnet to jump off?

Suspended Paper Clip

Purpose: To build a device that suspends a paperClipMaterials:Tin can Magnet String Paper ClipTapeProcedure: Draw what you built

Q’s

1. How far away from the magnet can you place the paper clip and still have it float?

2. What keeps the paperclip from flying onto the magnet?

Magnet Bridge

Purpose: Build a magnet bridge with three magnets, two of the magnets must be suspendedMaterials: 3 Magnets Hard SurfaceProcedure: Draw the set up

Q’s

1. Where are the poles on the magnets?

2. How does the interaction of the magnetic forces allow the magnets to hover?

Magnet Cars

Purpose: Steer a die cast car with a second car

Materials2 Cars Magnets Tape

Procedure: Draw the cars and maze you set up

Q’s

1. Explain why you can steer the front car with the back car?

Magnet Maze

Purpose: Investigate whether a magnet force will go through the lab table

Materials:Maze on poster board Steel WasherMagnetProcedure:Draw the set up including the maze

Q’s

1. Why are you able to move the magnet through the table?

2. What is more important in allowing magnetic force the type of material or the thickness of the material?

Strange Attractor

Purpose: Investigate magnetic fields

Materials:Attractor

Procedure:Draw the attractor and describe what it does

Q’s

1. Describe the interaction between the magnets. (Where is the attraction and repulsion)

Magnetic Field

Purpose: Identify the field lines on a magnet

Materials:Cow magnet Balloon Iron FillingsPlastic bag

Procedure: Draw the set up

Questions1. Why does the magnet float on one side and

not on the other?2. Where is the north seeking pole on a ring

magnet?3. What would happen if the pencil wasn’t

there?4. What happens to the spaces between the

magnets as you add more?5. How do you get the top magnet to jump off?

Q’s

1. How far away from the magnet can you place the paper clip and still have it float?

2. What keeps the paperclip from flying onto the magnet?

Q’s

1. Where are the poles on the magnets?

2. How does the interaction of the magnetic forces allow the magnets to hover?

Q’s

1. Explain why you can steer the front car with the back car?

Q’s

1. Why are you able to move the magnet through the table?

2. What is more important in allowing magnetic force the type of material or the thickness of the material?

Q’s

1. Describe the interaction between the magnets. (Where is the attraction and repulsion)

Q’s

1. How do you know where the field is strongest?