Magnet experiments

Thinking about the images of MRI scanners in our collection we decided to find out more about how magnets works – why not have a go yourself!

Thread a length of cotton through some card tie a knot so it doesn’t pull through and fix a paper clip to the loose end
With your craft magnets see if you can lift the end of the paper clip without touching it…. the paper clip should float in the air being attracted to the magnets (see the film clip below)

Try out seeing how magnets move a compass. We lined our compass up to North. By moving the craft magnets closer you can see how the needles spin (see film clip above)
Try our MRI magnetic motor sculpture activity or our MRI cardboard modelling activity