View the shape of different magnetic fields

broken bar magnets, compasses, glass tray, iron filings

• If using iron filings place the magnets configuration on the overhead projector and then set the tray on top of the magnet. Shaking iron filings into the tray then keeps the filings from direct contact with the magnet (and thus is easier to clean up). Try to prevent clumps of filings forming otherwise the field lines will be hard to observe.

• If using small compasses set these out around the magnet in the tray and again project using the overhead projector.

Updated on 05/30/13