Lesson Three : Activities and Quizzes
Activity 3: Magnetic Field LinesRequired materials: A bar magnet at least two inches in length, a sheet of paper, a compass, and a box of iron filings.
Procedure: First, place the magnet on a table and set the sheet of paper on top of it. Shake some of the iron fillings onto the paper and watch as the filings align themselves along the magnetic field lines of the atom.
Next, take the iron filings off of the sheet of paper and distribute a magnet, a sheet of paper, and a compass to each student. Have the students place the magnet on top of the paper, near the center. When placed near the magnet, the compass will point in the direction of the magnetic field lines; from the north pole to the south pole. Using this principle, it is possible to trace out the magnetic field surrounding the magnet.
The compass should be moved around the magnet at a constant distance from the magnet, following the direction of the compass needle. Every little bit, a small dot should be placed on the paper at the tip of the needle to trace out the field line. When the compass has traveled from the north to the south pole, with marks made along the way, the dots may be connected to show the field line of the magnet.