089 – Magnetization in the earth’s magnetic field
Introduction to:
Magnetism, static magnetic field
Material:
- Radiator / water pipe, oriented vertically (ferrous / ferromagnetic)/ any large object that is ferromagnetic and has not been moved for a long time in the Earth’s magnetic field
- magnetic needle / compass
Execution:
- The magnetic needle can be used to show that the object has a magnetic south pole at the top and a magnetic north pole at the bottom.
- This is true for places in the northern hemisphere of the Earth, and the opposite is true in the southern hemisphere.
Explanation:
- The object is magnetized in the permanent magnetic field of the Earth.
- The polarity is in line with the direction of the magnetic field lines.
Didactic potential:
- Determining the polarity is a nice thinking task.
- Pupils have to take into account that, by definition, there is a magnetic south pole at the geographical north pole of the Earth.