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Two naturally magnetic lodestones have a tug-o-war with some iron filings There is nothing more fun and exciting than seeing the magical, mystical world of magnetism. And to find it in its natural state is even more fun. So here are some fun ideas on how you can bring this world into your classroom. Changing the Compass This is an interesting demonstration as it uses minimum materials and is quite graphic in demonstrating the North and South poles of a natural a rock that is a magnet. What you need: A compass and a specimen of magnetite or lodestone. How is works: Simply set the compass on a piece of paper with a North and South drawn. Then let the magnetite or lodestone get close to the West side of the compass. Depending on which side of the lodestone you have close you will draw the North or South pointer of the compass to the lodestone. Voila'. Natural magnetism shown in its most graphic detail. Here is an example:
Here you see a compass with the North side up and the North direction shown on the paper. When one end of the magnetite from the top photograph is placed on the East side, the South end of the compass is attracted. When the magnetite rock is rotated, it attracts the North end. (remember...opposites attract) Proving that this rock is actually a natural magnet that even has its own North and South poles within the rock itself.... The Magnetic Powered Ship OK....this demonstration is a bit cheezy. But this is a free web site and YourGemologist is on sort of a limited budget. But picture, if you will, that you built a small wooden ship, and put in its hold a nice chunk of magnetite or lodestone. Here is how you could power your ship without oars or motors.
What you need: A fairly good size chunk of magnetite. The one I used here is about 2 inches by 1 inch so it doesn't have to be too big to work. And I used a large round Tupperware bowl, (that's going to be the ocean) a snap tight container (my ship), and a fairly strong magnet.
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The Voyage of the HMS Lodestone
The HMS Lodestone has traveled across the ocean from one side to the other, now we move the magnet to bring it back home................................
Like I said, you sort of have to use your imagination to get the ship concept. But the fact that magnetism is drawing the vessel across the water is not imagined. Magnetism is what is pulling this boat from horizon to horizon and it can be a fun demonstration for students who want to have some fun while they learn. And if you are talented enough to actually make a small wooden ship with a shallow draft, this demonstration really will work to make built your own Magnetic Powered Ship.. |
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© Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved. Please read the fine print below: The information contained in this website is offered free of charge to anyone wishing to learn more about gemology. The information may be downloaded by any student, consumer, or jeweler for your own personal study and use. None of this site can be downloaded for posting on another website or server for any reason. It will be a violation of the copyright for anyone to copy, duplicate, distribute, and/or re-print this material in any format or any medium without written permission. Nor can anyone post this information on a for-profit website without written permission. That will ruin it for everyone and cause the entire site to be erased and canceled. Please honor this copyright for the good of everyone else. Robert James FGA, GG.....YourGemologist |
Natural
Magnetism
How
it works: You
simply put the magnetite inside the snap shut container (this
is kind of a cheezy boat...but work with me here) and cast your
ship out on the water. Place your magnet on the outside of the
ocean and let natural magnetism do its work. By moving the magnet
around the outside of your ocean, you can make the ship go anywhere
you want it to go. Here is sort of a play by play on how it works
on my Tupperware ocean..........
