What do iron filings look like

This explains why magnets sometimes stick together and other times repel each other. Radiating from each end is what's called a magnetic field which is invisible extending out and interacting with things that can be magnetized. Iron filings are just teeny-tiny specks of iron, but remember that iron is special. When it is near a magnet the particles that make up the teeny-tiny specks of iron temporarily become magnets.

The magnet induces forces the particles in the iron to orient themselves go into a position where the north and south poles all line up the same. Alternatively, you can eliminate the risk of making a mess by using one of our magnetic demonstrators.

If you want to go a step further with your lesson or want a neat desk or classroom display, we also have 3D magnetic demonstrators! The 3D version can be even more representative of the lines of force because they are inherently a 3D phenomenon, running vertical and horizontal as well as sideways.

There are an assortment of experiments that you can do with iron filings and magnets to aid in teaching magnetism. We hope that you enjoyed this one! If you want to try a similar experiment that involves ferrofluid and magnets, you can visit the blog article here.

If you have your own version of a magnet experiment that you would like to share, feel free to do so in the comments or on our Facebook page! Photo by Jlahorn. Business Customers Our Blog Videos. Supplies Iron Filings White paper Magnet Alternatively, you can eliminate the risk of making a mess by using one of our magnetic demonstrators.

Steps Place a piece of white paper on a flat surface. Pour some iron filings onto the center of the paper. Jump to Instructions. Continue to Content. Materials a few strong magnets neodymium magnets, a rare earth metal, are very strong magnets iron filings.

Tools a piece of paper adult supervision. Instructions Put two magnets underneath a piece of paper with 1 inch apart. Carefully and slowly shake some iron filings onto the piece of paper above the magnets. If the iron filings are too far from the magnets, gently tap or shake the paper to move them closer to above the magnets. Observe how the filings move and distribute on the paper. Next, remove the iron filings or carefully poor them back into the bottle.

Flip one of the magnets upside down.