Magnetic Fields

• ​compass

• two bar magnets

• one ring magnet

• pendulum base

• pendulum arm

• pendulum string

• box of iron filings

​​Materials

​Check your materials!

1. Fit the bottom of the pendulum arm into the slot in the base.

2. Use the small ring to hang the pendulum string from the arm.

3. Place one bar magnet on either side of the large ring with opposite poles facing each other.

​Follow these steps

After the pendulum stops moving, observe the orientation of the bar magnet.

Note the direction the poles point.

Record your observation in Magnetic Fields Notes.

Then, move the pendulum to a different location in your home and record its orientation again. Note whether the direction the poles point changes. Repeat until you have taken observations in four locations. Try placing the pendulum in different rooms and near different objects.

All magnets produce a magnetic field. A magnetic field is the area surrounding an object where you can detect magnetic force. Scientists create models of magnetic fields by drawing field lines.

​Magnetic field lines always loop back to the south pole of the magnet.

​Turn to page 6 in your lesson for today.