Compass Follows a Magnet
Three related teacher demonstrations: Compass Follows a Magnet, Magnet Falls Slowly Through Copper Pipe, Repelling Magnet Car.
Teaching & key ideas
1. Compass Follows a Magnet
Materials: Compass; bar magnet
What you do: Move magnet around compass from a distance.
What students see: Compass needle turns toward the magnet.
Question: Is a compass needle a magnet too?
2. Magnet Falls Slowly Through Copper Pipe
Materials: Strong magnet; copper tube; nonmagnetic comparison object
What you do: Drop magnet and same-size metal slug through tube.
What students see: Magnet falls surprisingly slowly.
Question: Why does copper slow a magnet without touching it?
3. Repelling Magnet Car
Materials: Small wheeled cart; fixed magnet; second magnet
What you do: Bring like poles together without contact.
What students see: Cart rolls away.
Question: Can magnets push without touching?
Lesson flow
Predict → observe three demonstrations → compare what changed → choose independent activity station → cleanup/share.
Guiding questions:
Question: Is a compass needle a magnet too?
Question: Why does copper slow a magnet without touching it?
Question: Can magnets push without touching?