022 – Magnetic probe
Improvised magnetic needle
qualitative magnetic probe
basic experiment about magnetic field lines
paper clip in magnetic field
Introduction to:
Magnetic needle, magnetic field of a bar magnet, magnetic field lines
Material:
- Permanent magnet, e.g. bar magnet
- Safety pin
- Toothpick with one end slightly widened, e.g. by skewering a small piece of cork onto it
Construction and implementation:
Attach the safety pin to the toothpick so that it can rotate freely and hold it near the magnet.
Observation:
The paper clip aligns itself with the magnetic field lines.
Tips:
- Rotating the safety pin by 180° leads to a reversal of the polarity
- There is no need to magnetize the pin prior to the experiment
Explanation:
- The safety pin is ferromagnetic and is magnetised by the magnet.
- It therefore behaves like a magnetic needle and shows the direction of the field lines.