Magnet Hunt
Word of the day: magnet
“This magnet has a secret power. It only likes some things. Let's find out which.”
Grab
- a big fridge magnet (or a magnet wand)
- a tray of things: spoon, foil, coin, paper clip, key, LEGO, a steel food can and an aluminum soda can
Big magnets only. Small round or neodymium magnets are dangerous if swallowed.
Do
- Guess first for each thing: stick or not? Then test it.
- Sort into two piles: sticks, doesn't stick.
- The surprise round: the food can and the soda can. Both are metal. Test them.
- Walk the kitchen with the magnet: fridge, oven, sink, table legs, cabinet handles.
The big moment
Two cans, both metal. Only one sticks.
Ask (guess first, then try)
- Does the magnet like all metal?
- Can it work through paper? Through your hand?
What's going on (for you)
Magnets pull on iron and steel. Lots of metals, like aluminum (soda cans, foil), copper and most coins, aren't pulled at all. The rule is iron: anything with iron in it sticks. Magnetism also passes through paper and hands.
If they want more
Put a paper clip on a plate and move the magnet underneath. Make it dance.
Look it up
Wikipedia: Magnet PhET simulation