Objective
Build a simple magnetometer to detect variations in Earth’s magnetic field.
Materials
- Sewing needle
- Bar magnet
- Thread
- Glass of water
- Plastic bottle
- Tape
- Notebook for observations
Instructions
- Magnetize the sewing needle by rubbing it on the bar magnet in one direction several times.
- Thread the needle through a piece of thread and suspend it horizontally inside a plastic bottle, securing the thread with tape.
- Fill a glass of water and place it in the plastic bottle to stabilize it.
- Observe how the needle aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, pointing north-south.
- Record your observations in the notebook, noting any changes in the needle’s direction over time.
- Experiment by positioning the magnet near the needle to see its effect on the needle’s alignment.
- Document the results and compare them to the Earth’s magnetic field observations.
- Analyze your findings to understand how Earth’s magnetic field behaves.
- Present your observations in a report, explaining the principles of Earth’s magnetic field and how it can be detected.