Make a compass

Press, 16 October 1984, Page 12

Make a compass

A magnet is a piece of iron or steel which has the power of attracting other pieces of iron or steel.

Lots of interesting experiments can be done with a magnet. If you take an ordinary sewing needle and stroke it about 20 times with one end

of a magnet, you will make the needle itself into a little magnet. It is important to always stroke the needle in the same direction, and use the same end of the magnet every time. Now hold up the needle by a piece of silk thread tied around its middle. It

will point north and south just like a compass needle which is a piece of magnetised steel suspended inside a box with a glass top.

With two or three magnetised needles it is possible to find out more about magnetism.

When a piece of iron or steel is magnetised, it has a north and south pole. The north pole of one magnet will attract the south pole of another, but two like poles will push each other away.

Use a magnet to pick up a chain of nails — once one is attached to the magnet, other nails will be attracted to the chain.

Tricks can be played with magnets. One is to hide a' magnet behind a thin piece of cardboard on which you have placed some nails or tacks.

When you move the hidden magnet about, the nails will stand on end and perform many amusing and mysterious antics.