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The major considerations in this activity are to bring a magnet that is the right size, strong enough to generate a high enough voltage, and knowing where the "North Seeking Pole" is to trigger the circuit to provide you with the coordinates of the final stage .
Obtaining a magnet
The easiest method which will guarantee success is to obtain an eight pack of 3/4 inch diameter ceramic (neodymium) magnets available from Home Depot for $1.98
Store SKU # 902150
Store SKU # 902150
Master MagneticModel # 96244
Using other magnets you may have on hand
The inside diameter of the coil is 3/4 of an inch. Your magnet must be able to fit in that space.
In order to trigger the circuit the magnet must be strong enough and you need to know which end is the north seeking pole. The magnet needs to be strong enough to pick up at least three steel paper clips end to end.
Not all bar magnets have their North and South poles on the ends!
The disc magnets stick together forming a very strong bar magnet.
To perform the action necessary to trigger the circuit in the first stage you need to identify which end of your bar magnet is the North Seeking Pole. If you have magnetic compass hold it about a foot away (no closer or you could damage the compass) The compass will point toward the South Seeking pole. (unlike poles attract!) Use a marker to indicate the other end with a "N".
If you do not have a compass you can make a compass out of your bar magnet.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
1 Foam cup about 8 oz
1 glass or plastic bowl about 4 inches deep
1 short piece of tape (electrical, masking, or plastic tape.)
INSTRUCTIONS
-Double the tape back on itself sticky side out forming a double sided tape.
-Stick this to the bar magnet in the long direction.
-Stick the magnet to the bottom of the foam cup trying to keep it centered in both directions.
-Find a location that you can place the bowl so that it is not near any metal.
-Fill the bowl with water to within about an inch from the top.
(The ten pack of 3/8 inch diameter for the same price will also work.)
VERY IMPORTANT! KEEP DISC MAGNETS AWAY FROM SMALL CHILDREN!
Moving a magnetic pole
If the magnet has its poles on the faces or sides a steel object such as a 1/4 - 20 bolt may be used to concentrate the magnetic field and move the North pole to the end of the bolt.
I didn't know they had an App for that!
Click on the picture to enlarge it
Holding the magnet's North pole on the end of the bolt the other end can be placed in the coil then removed to trigger the circuit.
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW THE MAGNETS NEAR YOUR CREDIT CARDS. THEY CAN DEMAGNETIZE THE DATA STRIP RENDERING THE CARDS USELESS.
For other uses for your disc magnets check this out
See Also Electrical Sources
-Carefully lower the cup into the water. The cup and magnet will swing around so that one end of the magnet faces north.
-Using a permanent marker put a "N" on the end that pointed north.
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