EXPERIMENT

q Problem: Where is a bar magnet strongest? Weakest?

q Hypothesis: The strength of a bar magnet is the same throughout the magnet.

q Materials: bar magnet, paper clips

q Procedure:

Part I: Determine how many paper clips can be held using the pole of a bar magnet.

1) Pick up a paper clip using the pole of the magnet.

2) If the magnet can pick up the paper clip, chain two paper clips together.

3) Try picking up the paper clips with the pole of the magnet.

4) If the magnet can pick up the two paper clips, chain three paper clips together.

5) Continue this process until the pole cannot pick up the chain of paper clips.

6) Record the number of paper clips picked up by the magnet in the Data Table.

Part II: Determine how many paper clips can be held using the middle of a bar magnet.

7) Pick up a paper clip using the middle of the magnet.

8) If the magnet can pick up the paper clip, chain two paper clips together.

9) Try picking up the paper clips with the middle of the magnet.

10) If the magnet can pick up the two paper clips, chain three paper clips together.

11) Continue this process until the pole cannot pick up the chain of paper clips.

12) Record the number of paper clips picked up by the magnet in the Data Table.

q Results:

q Conclusions: Since the number of paper clips picked up by the pole of the magnet was

greater, we conclude that the poles of the bar magnet are stronger than the

middle of the magnet.

A group from the Young Engineer’s Club came to the same conclusion via a

slightly different experiment. An explanation is also included.