What it shows
A magnet attracts only some materials, mostly those with iron. Many things that look metallic, like a steel spoon or a coin, may not be magnetic.
The science
A magnet pulls on materials that contain iron, nickel or cobalt. Paper clips and pins are made of steel, which has iron, so they stick. Plastic, wood, rubber and most coins are not attracted. Some steel kitchen items are non-magnetic because of the kind of steel used.
Materials
Cost: free. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.
- A small bar or fridge magnet (free or from an old toy)
- A notebook with two columns: sticks and does not stick
- A pencil
- Ten household things like a pin, a spoon, a key, a coin, a paper clip, a plastic comb, a stone and a rubber band
Safety
For this project: Keep magnets away from phones, watches, bank cards and televisions. An adult must check the things you test, and keep small magnets away from young children.
Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.
All the safety rulesStep by step
8 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.
Draw a table in your notebook with two columns: sticks and does not stick.
Collect ten small things from around the home and put them on the table.
Guess for each thing whether the magnet will pull it and write your guess.
Bring the magnet close to the first thing and see whether it sticks.
Write the result in the right column and tick your guess if you were right.
Test every thing. Test big things too, like an almirah door and a spoon.
Count the things in each column and find what they have in common.
Make a magnet treasure hunt by hiding paper clips for a friend to find with the magnet.
What you should see
Iron and steel things such as pins, clips and keys stick. Plastic, wood, rubber, stones and most coins do not. Your table shows both groups.
Viva questions
A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.
1What does a magnet attract?
Things with iron in them, like steel pins.
2Does a magnet attract plastic?
No.
3Were all your metal things magnetic?
Not all. Some metals like aluminium and copper do not stick.
4Why keep magnets away from phones?
They can disturb some parts inside electronic things.
Take it further
Test whether the magnet still pulls a paper clip through a sheet of paper or a plastic cup.
Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.
Free ebooks for this project
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