UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Iron Filings with Bar Magnet or Cow Magnet on Overhead

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 182

Iron Filings with Bar Magnet or Cow Magnet on Overhead

ID # 182

Description:

A bar magnet is placed under a transparent surface on the overhead projector. Iron filings are then spread in a random fashion around the magnet. The filings align themselves along the magnetic field lines of the magnet.

Picture of Iron Filings with Bar Magnet or Cow Magnet on Overhead

Physics Concept:

Electricity and Magnetism
Magnetic Fields and Forces
Fields Produced by Magnetic Materials

The demonstration takes about 1 minute to perform.