How to Make a Compass for the Magnetic Field
Explorers use compasses to determine their directions of travel. A compass consists of a magnetized piece of metal on a swivel. The piece of metal reacts to the magnetic field of the earth and will point toward the nearest pole, north or south. Making a basic compass is a simple thing to do.
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Instructions
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Slide the needle across the refrigerator magnet 5 times. Do not slide it back and forth; slide it in the same direction each time.
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Obtain a small piece of cork and push the needle through it such that the cork piece rests at the midpoint of the needle.
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Fill the small dish with water and gently lay the needle in it so that it floats on the surface of the water.
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Observe as the magnetized needle aligns itself with the earth's nearest pole.
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References
- Photo Credit compass image by Infocus from Fotolia.com
