You may have heard the term “opposite attract”, which is when two opposite traits tend to be attracted to each other. Although sometimes used inappropriately in a romantic relationship, this cliché term is a rule of thumb for magnetic polarity. Since the earth is a giant magnet, understanding the polarity of the magnet on a small scale will help you better understand the large magnetic field that protects us from extraterrestrial radiation. If you want to label the magnetic poles to use, or are simply doing a fun experiment, there are several ways to determine the polarity of a magnet.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Compass
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
You need a magnet and a compass. Any type of compass can be used, but disc or bar magnets are ideal for this method.
Step 2. Test the compass
Although the north end of a compass needle is usually red, it's a good idea to check for that. If you know the geographic north of your current location, this test can be done easily.
- If you can't pinpoint north, get out of the house at noon, when the sun is at its highest in the sky. Lay the compass on your palm and point the south marker towards your body.
- Note the needle position. If you live in the northern hemisphere of the earth. The north end of the compass will point to your body and the south end of the needle will point to the sun. If you live in the southern hemisphere, the south end of the compass will point to your body.
Step 3. Place the compass on a flat surface, such as a table
Make sure that there are no magnetic or metallic objects near the compass. Even an object like a keychain or a penknife can mess up the result. You will notice that the North end of the compass needle is pointing towards North.
Step 4. Lay the magnet on the table
If you use a disc magnet, the North and South poles will be on both flat surfaces. If you use a bar magnet, the poles are at each end.
Step 5. Bring the magnet closer to the compass
For disc magnets, hold the magnet sideways and hold it with your index finger so that one flat side is facing the compass.
If you are using a bar magnet, place the magnet perpendicular to the compass so that one end is near the compass
Step 6. Look at the compass needle
A compass needle is a small magnet so that its south end is attracted to the north pole of the magnet. Know that the blue end of a compass needle is South and the blue end of a magnet is North, so they attract each other.
If the north end of the compass needle is pointing toward the magnet, this is the south pole of the magnet. Rotate the magnet to bring the other end closer to the compass, and the South end of the compass now points to the North pole of the magnet
Method 2 of 3: Making a Compass with a Bar Magnet
Step 1. Prepare a piece of yarn
You can use any type of yarn, such as knitting yarn or wrapping tape. The thread must be long enough to attach to the magnet and hold it in place.
Supposedly, 100 cm of thread should suffice. You can measure it by holding the thread with both hands. Bring the thread in the right hand to the nose. Straighten your left arm as far as possible. For adults, usually the distance between the right and left hands is 100 cm
Step 2. Tie the thread tightly around the bar magnet
Make sure the thread is firmly attached to the magnet so it doesn't fall out of the loop. If you have a disc or ball magnet, this method won't work.
Step 3. Hold the thread away from the body
Make sure the magnet is free to rotate and doesn't hit anything. When it stops rotating, it means that the north end of the magnet is pointing towards the north. Now you have a compass!
- This means that you need to know which direction is north before conducting your experiment. You can use a compass or determine it based on the city and topographical features of the area concerned.
- Know the difference with the compass method. In the compass method, the south end of the compass needle is attracted to the north pole of the magnet. When using a magnet as a compass, the North pole of the magnet will point towards North because this pole is actually the “north locating pole,” which is attracted to the South pole of the Earth's magnetic field.
Method 3 of 3: Floating Magnet
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
This method requires household items that should already be in your home. Prepare a small magnet, Styrofoam, water, and a cup to complete the experiment that helps determine the polarity of the magnet.
Step 2. Fill a cup, bowl, or small saucer with water
You don't need to fill it to the brim, just enough for the Styrofoam to float freely.
Step 3. Prepare styrofoam
The styrofoam must be small enough to fit into a water container and large enough to hold a magnet. If the styrofoam is too big, cut it to the right size.
Step 4. Place the magnet on top of the styrofoam and float it above the water
Styrofoam will rotate until the tip of the magnet points north. Check the map or check north on the compass before starting
Tips
- If checking the magnetic poles will be done frequently, you should buy a magnetic pole detector to be able to determine the magnetic poles easily.
- All magnets with known north and south poles can be used to determine the polarity of other magnets. The south pole will be attracted to the north pole of another magnet.
