1. What is the method of making the compass at home ?
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Steering Science: Make a Homemade Compass
A physics project from Science Buddies
By Science Buddies on September 4, 2014
Use the Earth's magenic fields to make a homemade compass! Credit: George Retseck
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Byline
By Science Buddies
Key concepts
Magnetism
Navigation
Magnetic poles
Physics
Forces
Introduction
Have you ever used a compass to help you figure out what direction you should go? These can come in handy to help you navigate your way through a field or forest while camping, for example. Magnetic compasses work based on Earth's magnetic field. In this science activity you'll get to make your own magnetic compass. How well do you think it'll work? Get ready to find out!
Background
People have known about magnetism for thousands of years. Magnetism is the reason two magnets will push against one another or be pulled together. This can cause amazing things to happen, such as making an object hover above the ground because it is being pushed up by the magnetic force. Magnetism can also help people navigate; because Earth has a magnetic field, compasses can be made using a small magnetized bar or needle that points a certain direction (north or south) based on the field.
Although the phenomenon of magnetism has been known of for a couple thousand years, the first magnetic compasses used for navigation were not invented until relatively recently, approximately 1,000 years ago (sometime between A.D. 1000 and 1100). In this science activity you'll get to make your own compass, which may help you understand some of the challenges that early magnetic compass makers encountered!
Materials
Metal sewing needle
A magnet (It can be a flat refrigerator magnet or a more powerful magnet, such as a rare earth magnet—the most common type is made of neodymium—which can be purchased at many hardware stores. A stronger magnet will work best.)
A pair of pliers
A cork
Scissors for cutting the corkA wide cup, drinking glass or bowl
Water
Preparation
Be careful when handling the magnet, especially if you are using a strong magnet, such as a rare earth magnet. Keep the magnet away from other magnets and electronic devices, such as computers, cell phones and TV screens.
Use caution and have an adult help when you use the scissors to cut the cork and when you handle the needle.
Procedure
Rub the magnet against the sewing needle at least five times. (If you are using a weaker magnet, such as a flat refrigerator magnet, rub the needle at least a dozen times.) Always rub the magnet in the same direction against the needle. Your needle should now be magnetized.
Now cut off about one quarter inch of the cork from one of the ends, making a small cork disk that is about one-quarter-inch tall.
Laying the cork disk on a flat surface, carefully push the needle through the side of the disk by using the pair of pliers. Push the needle all the way through the disk so that about the same amount of needle shows on either side of the disk.
Fill a wide cup, drinking glass or bowl with at least one inch of water.
Put the cork disk (with the needle) on the water in the cup. Try to keep the disk floating in the center of the water, away from the sides of the cup.
English
Español
العربية
Other Editions
Close
Bring Science Home
Bring Science Home
Steering Science: Make a Homemade Compass
A physics project from Science Buddies
By Science Buddies on September 4, 2014
Use the Earth's magenic fields to make a homemade compass! Credit: George Retseck
ADVERTISEMENT | REPORT AD
Byline
By Science Buddies
Key concepts
Magnetism
Navigation
Magnetic poles
Physics
Forces
Introduction
Have you ever used a compass to help you figure out what direction you should go? These can come in handy to help you navigate your way through a field or forest while camping, for example. Magnetic compasses work based on Earth's magnetic field. In this science activity you'll get to make your own magnetic compass. How well do you think it'll work? Get ready to find out!
Background
People have known about magnetism for thousands of years. Magnetism is the reason two magnets will push against one another or be pulled together. This can cause amazing things to happen, such as making an object hover above the ground because it is being pushed up by the magnetic force. Magnetism can also help people navigate; because Earth has a magnetic field, compasses can be made using a small magnetized bar or needle that points a certain direction (north or south) based on the field.
Although the phenomenon of magnetism has been known of for a couple thousand years, the first magnetic compasses used for navigation were not invented until relatively recently, approximately 1,000 years ago (sometime between A.D. 1000 and 1100). In this science activity you'll get to make your own compass, which may help you understand some of the challenges that early magnetic compass makers encountered!
Materials
Metal sewing needle
A magnet (It can be a flat refrigerator magnet or a more powerful magnet, such as a rare earth magnet—the most common type is made of neodymium—which can be purchased at many hardware stores. A stronger magnet will work best.)
A pair of pliers
A cork
Scissors for cutting the corkA wide cup, drinking glass or bowl
Water
Preparation
Be careful when handling the magnet, especially if you are using a strong magnet, such as a rare earth magnet. Keep the magnet away from other magnets and electronic devices, such as computers, cell phones and TV screens.
Use caution and have an adult help when you use the scissors to cut the cork and when you handle the needle.
Procedure
Rub the magnet against the sewing needle at least five times. (If you are using a weaker magnet, such as a flat refrigerator magnet, rub the needle at least a dozen times.) Always rub the magnet in the same direction against the needle. Your needle should now be magnetized.
Now cut off about one quarter inch of the cork from one of the ends, making a small cork disk that is about one-quarter-inch tall.
Laying the cork disk on a flat surface, carefully push the needle through the side of the disk by using the pair of pliers. Push the needle all the way through the disk so that about the same amount of needle shows on either side of the disk.
Fill a wide cup, drinking glass or bowl with at least one inch of water.
Put the cork disk (with the needle) on the water in the cup. Try to keep the disk floating in the center of the water, away from the sides of the cup.
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