Levitating Magnets
Home Explorations: Magnets/Levitating Magnets
Overview
This demonstration shows how magnetic force can oppose gravity by “levitating” two rare earth magnets on strings between two small pillars. Students then test various materials to determine how magnetic lines of force interact with materials.
Materials List
•Two small sticks (4-6" long, 1/4-1/2 inch square)
or two dowels. Size is not critical.
• Block of wood (4" long--width and depth do not matter)
• Kite string or strong thread or fishing line
• Two small neodymium magnets
• Glue or glue gun
• Various thin materials
Directions. (Download a print version at HOME EXPLORATIONS- LEVITATING MAGNETS (PRINT) PDF.PDF )
1) Glue two small sticks on a wooden base as shown in the picture. You can use hot glue, white glue, or even nail or screw the wood together.
2) Glue a thread or string to each of the two small neodymium magnets provided.
3) As shown in the picture, glue one thread to the upright stick. It does not matter where it is glued, but we decided to place it in the middle.
4) Now place the other magnet and string on the other stick and glue so that the magnets do not touch, but where they attract one another so they stay levitated.
Extensions
Neodymium magnets are stronger that iron or ceramic types. They contain a rare earth called neodymium, iron and boron. They are widely used in many types of technology because they have strong magnetism yet are very small in size.
Various websites explain magnet theory:
Overview of magnets: https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=magnet-basics
About Neodymium magnets: https://www.first4magnets.com/tech-centre-i61/information-and-articles-i70/neodymium-magnet-information-i82/what-are-neodymium-magnets-i93
Video of Experiment.
Printed Instructions
Download this pdf: HOME EXPLORATIONS- LEVITATING MAGNETS (PRINT) PDF.PDF
(74K)
If you have other questions about this exploration, contact mjaeger@eou.edu