Science Projects And Inventions

YOU NEED:

• Two paper clips

• A magnet

It is easy to hang a paper clip on the bottom of a magnet, as in the illustration. With a little more care you can suspend a second clip under the first. Once the two paper clips are connected, carefully lift away from the magnet the top clip of the chain. Once its is away from the magnet, will the second clip drop free? Interestingly, it will not! More powerful magnets will support a chain of three or more paper clips.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

 In most objects the atoms have a tiny amount of magnetic force, but because their poles are not aligned with each other, these forces cancel each other out. In a magnet many more atoms are aligned, so they work together to create a greater force overall. A magnet also has the ability to "induce" the same alignment in certain types of objects, such as a metal paperclip.