Make your own magnetic compass in Playing With Magnets – Class 6 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Playing With Magnets

Activity Name: Make your own magnetic compass in Playing With Magnets

Activity Description:

The experiment involves creating a homemade magnetic compass using a magnetized needle and a cork. By floating the cork in a glass of water and observing the direction in which the needle points, we can determine the North-South direction.

Required Items:

• Magnetized needle
• Light cork
• Tape
• Glass of water
• Detergent (to help the cork float freely)

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Take a magnetized needle.
2. Tape the needle securely to a light cork.
3. Fill a glass with water.
4. Add a small amount of detergent to the water to help the cork float freely.
5. Gently place the cork with the attached needle onto the surface of the water.
6. Allow the cork to float and stabilize.

Experiment Observations:

1. Observe the direction in which the magnetized needle points.
2. Note that the needle aligns itself in a particular direction.

Precautions:

• Be careful while handling the magnetized needle to avoid any accidental injuries.
• Ensure that the needle is securely taped to the cork to prevent it from falling off.
• Use a light cork to ensure proper buoyancy.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

By creating a homemade magnetic compass, we can observe that the magnetized needle aligns itself in the North-South direction.

This experiment demonstrates the basic principle of how a magnetic compass works, where the needle aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, with one end pointing towards the North Pole and the other towards the South Pole.