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Introduction: Printing the lines of a magnetic field is
important because it can help us to determine the strength,
concentration and direction of magnetic forces around a
magnet. By inspecting a magnetic field print you can
determine if shape variations or thickness of a magnet,
affect the strength or the concentration of magnetic forces
in some areas of a magnet.
Do magnetic forces
accumulate in narrow areas? |
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You may tray this experiment with
any regular magnet such as a magnet bar or a magnet disk.
Procedure:
- Place the magnet on a
flat surface away from metal objects.
- Place a cardboard on
that and secure it so that it stays horizontally. For
example you may place small pieces of wood, cardboard or
plastic around the magnet to hold the card board
horizontal.
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- Sprinkle some iron
filings on the cardboard. Do your best to distribute the
iron filings evenly on the center of the cardboard,
above the magnet.
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- Tap on the cardboard
so the iron filings will move and position themselves
over the magnetic lines.
- Take a picture of the
magnetic lines.
- Use hair spray to
secure the iron filings in place.
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Warning: The hair spray used
in this experiment is usually flammable. Read related warnings and
information on the bottle. Other types of spray glues are also
available in art and craft stores. |
