How to Repel Metal With a Magnet
Most people know that magnets attract metal, but if you're conducting a science project or want to impress your friends, you can also create the reverse effect. Magnets work by aligning the electrons in the metal to the particular pole -- north or south -- which creates a bond. Since magnets have two opposite poles, you can use this process to polarize the metal one way, causing the other pole to repel the metal.
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Instructions
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Place a piece of metal that is attracted to magnets (not all metals are) near one pole of the magnet, either north or south, so that it attracts.
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Rub the metal against the pole in only one direction for a few minutes, not back and forth. This aligns the electrons in the metal so that they take on the same polarity as the magnet. Rub the metal like this as long as possible, because the longer you do it, the longer the electrons will stay aligned that way before returning to a neutral state.
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Remove the metal from the magnet and then bring the other pole of the magnet close to the metal. It should repel the metal.
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References
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