Science Experiments: Magic of Magnetism

Get the kids magnetized with this attractive science experiment!

Submitted by
Kayla Chong

Way back in 600 B.C. (yes, that was before Mommy was born, thank you!), Greek philosophers discovered the magnetic properties of lodestones (nature's magnets). But it wasn't until 1600 that serious advances were made in the field. Now it's your kid's turn to discover magnetic theory all over again with this cool science experiment.

L'il Scientist:
Your kid.
Lab Assistant:
You.
Big clear 16-ounce plastic soda or water bottle
Salt
Sidewalk chalk
Strainer
Large bowl
Cow magnet:
Find one at your local hardware store or online at Hardware World.
Small metal items:
Like paper clips, keys, screws, washers, etc.

Gulp down a bottle of water or soda.
Have your kid rinse out the bottle really well. Keep the lid!
Let it dry. It has to be totally dry for this to work!
Have your kid pulverize the chalk into a powder by rubbing it through a strainer into a large bowl. Alternately, you can have your kid put the chalk in a zipper bag and bang on it (outside, please!) with a meat tenderizer. Or slip the zipper bag full of chalk inside of a paper bag and let him stomp it to pieces. Fun!
Next, invite junior to pour salt into the bowl. Enough to have an equal ratio of salt to chalk.
Then send your kid off to collect a bunch of small magnetic things that will fit into the bottle.
Help him pour the salt/chalk mixture into the bottle.
Then have him add the magnetic stuff.
Screw the top on the bottle.
Shake it up so the magnetic stuff gets buried in the salt/chalk mix.
Then hand your kid a cow magnet and have him hold it up against the bottle. The magnetic stuff will be drawn to the magnet and come flying out of the salt mixture. When he pulls the magnet away, the stuff will fall back into the salt. Cool, huh?!