Magnets

We are no learning about magnets. In Hans Persson's "Book of Physics and Chemistry", there is a task were you can build obstacle courses that are run with the help of magnets. Using cardboard, the children built ramps and fun figures to run with. The figures are attached to a paper clip and can be run from start to finish using a magnet held under the track. The children had so much fun that some did not even want to go to recess. Here are some of the results:

Last week we had a practical test. Again, it was Hans Persson and his books that inspired me. They got 3 small magnets of various kinds, and they should then answer the question "Which magnet is the best?" It was up to the children to interpret the question (the best at what?) and preparing tests to decide.

Joanna and Julia wanted to test the magnetic strength by starting with an empty container (they used a pencil pouch) and then fill it gradually. A good idea!

Amanda and Matilda raced the magnets against each other on the whiteboard. They attached a small weight (my keys) to the magnet. They then measured the time it took each magnet to slide down the whiteboard.

Another test was to find out how many paper clips a magnet can pull up from a glass of water.

A popular test was to see how many paper clips a magnet could hold hanging in a chain.

We also constructed an electromagnet. First, we concluded that a large iron nail was not magnetic. Then we wrapped it in copper wire and connected it to a 4.5 V battery. As long as the battery stayed connected the nail worked as a magnet and we could use it to lift up some smaller nails.