COMPASS

(Make a simple compass)

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 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? 

Procedure:

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. 

• 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.

• 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.