Put a fridge magnet on the fridge. Then, put it on the wall. What happens? While the fridge magnet sticks on the fridge, while doesn’t stick on the wall. This is due to the property of magnetism — magnetic attraction. Well, how about introducing this interesting concept through a messy decor art activity. Here’s the magical magnets magnetic art experiment that tells you how to make a galactic hand!
Parental Involvement: Medium
Duration: 30 minutes
Skills Acquired: Scientific Inquiry, Coordination, Creativity
Materials
- Paper plate
- Paint
- Magnet
- Paper clips
- A pair of scissors
- Coloured sand (optional)
Instructions For Magical Magnets Magnetic Art Activity
- On one side of the paper plate, add different paint. You may sprinkle some coloured sand too.
- Scatter some paper clips on the plate.
- Place a magnet under the plate. Move it around.
- Leave your plate aside to dry.
- Draw an outline of the hand and cut it out.
Your multi-coloured galactic hand is ready! Go ahead and put it up on the wall or door.
Now, what happened when you started to over the magnet around? Did the paper clips move towards where the magnet was?
Science behind this
Magnets have force, which is invisible to the human eye, called magnetic field. Now, a few objects — such as iron nails, paper clips, etc. — get attracted to a magnet. This is magnetic attraction. Not all objects get attracted to a magnet. Eg: Paper, wood, etc. Thus, when you place an item, like a paper clip, on a plate filled with paint and move the magnet, patterns were created on the plate due to magnetic attraction.
Activity done by Sreejith & Hariharan