COMPASS
(Make
a simple compass)
|
Introduction:
The earth produces a magnetic field. This field, although weak, is
sufficient to align free-moving iron and other paramagnetic compounds within it.
Compass is usually a long magnet that can easily
and freely spin at any direction. The magnet in a compass moves and
positions itself so that one end of that will be toward the north and
the other end will be towards the south. Compasses are used to identify
the directions (North, South, East, West) when we cannot use the sun or
stars to do that.
This page contain some ideas for making
a compass at home. To make a compass, you will need to use some
household materials such as pencil, glue, tape, paper, Popsicle
stick, cardboard and cutting tools such as utility knifes or
scissors. You may have such materials at home or you may purchase
them locally. You will also need materials that are available in
your standard or advanced Electromagnetism
kit such as Block Magnets, Disk magnets, and Super strong
Neodymium magnet. If you do not have the kit, please click
here to order it online. |
 |
Note: The basic
electromagnetism kit does not contain the magnets you need for this
experiment. Please use the standard kit or the advanced kit. |
Compass
Stick
Compass stick is a Popsicle
stick with two magnets on its two opposite ends. Compass stick
must be placed on a sharp, smooth stand such as a sharp pencil.
Compass stick will swivels and position in a north south
direction. Before using your compass stick, mark it with an arrow
and letters N (for north) and S (for south). |
 |
Compass stick is a great Science
Project for grades 1-4 students. It is also a valuable addition to any
magnetism or electromagnetism project for grades 5-9 students.
Materials:
For this project you will need two rectangular block magnets that
are available in your standard or advanced electromagnetism kit.
Procedure:
Place two rectangle magnets over
each other so that they will attract. Use a compass to identify
the North and the south of the magnets. Use a sticker or a marker
to mark the poles. |
 |
Now place the two magnets on the center
of a Popsicle stick. Then separate them from each other without changing
their direction. (Attracting sides will remain facing each other).
Place each magnet on one end of the Popsicle
stick and use tapes to hold them in place. (If you do not have a Popsicle
stick, any other wooden or plastic or cardboard stick will work as
well.) This will be your compass stick.
Sharpen a pencil and mount it on a
cardboard or wooden board (Using wood glue or white glue or modeling
clay).
Place the center of the compass stick
on the sharp point of the pencil. Move it around to balance it. Give it
some time so it will spin and stand on a North/ South direction.
Mark the North side and the South side.
Use color paper to make or draw an arrow with letters N and S and paste
it on your compass stick.
Did you notice that the South pole of
the magnet stands toward the North Pole? |
|
Cap
Compass |
Cap compass is a great
Science Project for grades 1-4 students. It is also a valuable
addition to any magnetism or electromagnetism project for grades
5-9 students. |
 |
|
Materials:
For this project you will need two rectangular block magnets that are
available in your standard or advanced electromagnetism kit. Additional
household items needed for this project include pencil, large bottle cap
or any similar object made from cardboard.
Procedure: |
Use a large plastic
screw cap or use cardboards to make a similar shape. The picture
in the right shows a cardboard ring from some adhesive tape
glued over another round piece of cardboard.
Place two rectangle magnets side
by side so that they attract each other. Then pull them away from
each other and without changing their direction, mount them on
opposite sides of a large plastic cap. |
 |
You can use masking
tape or any other adhesive tape to secure the magnets on the sides
of the cap.
Use a compass to identify the
North and the South of your magnets. Use small stickers or a
marker to mark the north and south sides. |
 |
Use color papers and
markers to make a nice face for your compass. The face must cover
the cap and must have letters N, S, E and W. Use the compass in
your kit as a sample to determine the exact location of these
letters.
Did you notice that the South
pole of the magnet stands toward the North Pole of the
earth? |
 |
|
|
Additional
Compass Projects |
Materials: Depending
on the method you use to make a compass, you may need two or more of the
following materials:
- Needle
- Nail
- Cork stopper
- Piece of Styrofoam
- Cup of water
- Thread or Cotton string
- A magnetized needle or nail
- Scissors
- Tin can
Kit Content:
Every Electromagnet Science set (Basic,
Standard and Advanced) contain magnets or electromagnet materials that
can be used to magnetize a nail or needle. All other materials may be
found at home.
Safety:
Adult supervision, assistance and
support is required if young children are using sharp objects such as
nail, needle, scissors and other sharp objects. |
Floating compass with cork
|
Procedure:
- Magnetize a sewing needle or small
nail by rubbing it against a strong magnet or by placing it in the
center of an electromagnet.
- Optionally use an existing magnet
and test the needle for presence of magnetic force.
- Insert the needle into a small cork
or piece of Styrofoam so that it can float on water. (If your cork
or Styrofoam is large, cut a small piece from it for your compass.)
- Fill up a cup or small plate with
water. Place the needle on water. Cork or Styrofoam must keep it
floating.
- Add some water to the up to create
overflow condition. At this time the surface of water will be beveled
and raised above the edges of the cup. This will force the needle to
move to the center and remain at the center.
- Make sure the cup is away from metal
objects, magnets and any other compass. Observe the direction of
needle. Is it pointing to the north and south? If it is not, repeat
magnetizing the needle and try again.
|
|
Hanging compass thread
|
Procedure:
- Magnetize nail by rubbing it against
a strong magnet or by placing it as the core of an electromagnet.
- Optionally use an existing magnet
and test the needle for presence of magnetic force.
- Use two same size pieces of sewing
thread and tie them to the two ends of the nail. Tie the other ends
of the threads together so that the nail remains horizontally when
hanged from above the knot.
- Use the strings to hang the nail at
the edge of a table.
- Make sure the nail can spin freely
and it is away from metal objects, magnets and any other compass.
Observe the direction of the nail. Is it pointing to the north and
south? If it is not, repeat magnetizing the nail and try again.
|
Explanation:
The earth produces a magnetic field. This field, although weak, is
sufficient to align iron and other paramagnetic compounds such as your
needle within it. By floating the needle on the cork or hanging it to a
needle, you let it rotate freely so it can orient itself within the
earth's magnetic field, to point toward the north or south poles of the
planet. |
More
Than 10 Projects in One Kit
The advanced and standard
electromagnetism kits provide you with the opportunity of doing
more than 10 different experiments and projects related to
magnetism and electromagnetism. If you do not have the kit, please
order it now.
Order
Now |
 |
|
|