Magnet Science Projects...
Learning About Magnets

Before we start thinking of ideas for magnet science projects and experiments, lets take a quick look at the history of magnets. We will then look at some properties of magnets and magnetism.

Centuries ago, it was discovered that certain types of mineral rock possessed unusual properties of attraction to the metal iron. One particular mineral, called lodestone, or magnetite, is found mentioned in very old historical records (about 2500 years ago in Europe, and much earlier in the Far East) as a subject of curiosity.

Later, it was employed in the aid of navigation, as it was found that a piece of this unusual rock would tend to orient itself in a north-south direction if left free to rotate (suspended on a string or on a float in water). A scientific study undertaken in 1269 by Peter Peregrinus revealed that steel could be similarly "charged" with this unusual property after being rubbed against one of the "poles" of a piece of lodestone.

Ferromagnetic materials are those things that are attracted to magnets. Some examples of these materials are iron, cobalt, gadlinium, and nickel.

These are materials that are repelled by magnets instead of being attracted to them. Lead, copper, gold, silver, and water, are examples of materials that are diamagnetic.

Paramagnetic materials are those that are only slightly attracted by magnets. Aluminum metal is an example of a paramagnetic element.

1) They have opposite poles. a north pole and a south pole.

2) Magnets only attract materials that have some magnetic properties.

3) Opposite magnetic poles attract while similar poles repel each other.

4) The force of a magnetic field drops off with distance from the magnet.

5) A magnetic field that is fluxing or changing direction or strength can cause a current flow in a conductor such as a copper wire.

The magnetic force field of a magnet can penetrate through glass, plastic, water, paper, leather, cork, and rubber but not though certain magnetic materials such as iron.

1) How does the distance from a magnet affect its strength?

2) How does temperature affect the strength of a magnet?

3) Will a thickness of certain materials block magnetic strength more than air?


101 easy science fair projects ebook includes some easy magnet science projects.

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