Magnets & Static Electricity For Kids!

All magnets produce a magnetic field.

All magnets have a north and south pole. Magnetic poles are the strongest parts of a magnet.

North and south poles of magnets attract each other. The two south poles and the two north poles repel each other.

A magnetic field is the area around a magnet that attracts and repeal objects. If you place an object inside the magnet’s field, it will be attracted to the magnet. The simplest way to see a magnetic field is to sprinkle iron filings around a magnet.

Iron filings are tiny pieces of iron. When sprinkled around a magnet, they reveal the magnetic field.

The Earth also has a magnetic field – it is like a huge magnet. Compasses work because the needle inside the compass is a magnet. One side of the needle is the north pole and the other side of the needle is the south pole. The north pole of the needle is attracted to the North Pole and the south pole of a needle is attracted to the South Pole.

The closer magnets are, the stronger the force.

Magnetism works over a distance. However, the closer the objects are to each other, the stronger the magnetic force. If you try to pull magnets apart it is very hard because the magnets are so close to each other. Once you get them a little bit apart it is much easier.

Electromagnets can be turned on or off with electricity.

An electromagnet is a magnet that uses electricity. The strength of an electromagnet can be changed by changing the amount of electricity that it is connected to.

By taking away the electricity running through the electromagnet, it can be turned off. In the video, Dr. Jeff used an electromagnet to pick up paper clips. When he pulled the wires off the battery, the paper clips fell off.

Electromagnets are used to power doorbells, construction cranes, and speakers.

Magnets called permanent magnets cannot be turned off. These magnets do not need electricity to work.

Static electricity can push or pull things without touching them.

Static electricity is the buildup of the electrical charge in an object when it is rubbed against another object.

Static electricity causes objects to stick together when they have opposite charges and repel when they have the same charge.

Common examples of this include rubbing a party balloon on your head. Electrical charge is transferred between the balloon and your hair. They develop OPPOSITE charges which make the balloon be attracted to your hair.

Also, if you shuffle your feet across the carpet and then touch a doorknob, that is static electricity too. The charges were built up when your feet were rubbing on the carpet, and then the charge was transferred to the metal doorknob.