A-MAZE-zing Magnets
Make your own magnet maze!
In this activity, students learn the basics of magnetic attraction by creating a maze using a magnet and metal paperclip.
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe delivery of virtual outreach to youth.
What To Do
- Draw a maze on a cardboard or paper plate.
- Draw a shape or character (like a bug!) on a piece of cardstock and cut it out.
- Attach the metal paperclip onto the shape or character.
- Place the shape or character at the start of the maze and place the magnet underneath the plate.
- Use the magnet underneath to move the shape/character throughout the maze!
Discovery
This activity demonstrates the strength of magnetic force. Magnets produce a magnetic field that is not visible to the naked eye. The magnetic force is attracted to ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel and steel. In this activity, the magnetic force is strong enough to attract the paper clip (made of steel) through the paper plate barrier.
Magnets are in many household appliances, such as refrigerators, televisions, telephones and stereos. Magnetic materials are used in tapes, disks and other media on which it is stored.
- Increase the difficulty of this challenge by creating a maze on a poster board.
What's Happening?
This activity demonstrates the strength of magnetic force. Magnets produce a magnetic field that is not visible to the naked eye. The magnetic force is attracted to ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel and steel. In this activity, the magnetic force is strong enough to attract the paper clip (made of steel) through the paper plate barrier.
Why Does It Matter?
Magnets are in many household appliances, such as refrigerators, televisions, telephones and stereos. Magnetic materials are used in tapes, disks and other media on which it is stored.
Investigate Further
- Increase the difficulty of this challenge by creating a maze on a poster board.