Hobbies And Interests
Magnetic Effect on Plant Growth
Determine the effect of magnets on radish seedling growth. Have three identically sized clay pots, each with the same number of radish seedlings planted. Use the following constants: how much water is applied, the amount of soil in the pot, the temperature, the number of seeds in each pot, the time the seedlings are planted and the depth they are planted, and light exposure. The variable will be the placement of the magnet on the clay pot. Over a period of several days, regularly watering and exposing light to all three pots of seedlings, find whether the placement of magnets determines the direction in which the roots grow.
Temperature and Magnets
Determine whether the temperature of a magnet effects its strength. Place a magnet in environments of different temperatures. Try exposing a magnet to extreme cold (-75 degrees Celsius) by placing it in dry ice, observing safety precautions while doing so. Also, place a magnet in ice cold water at 0 degrees Celsius, in room temperature at 20 Celsius and in boiling water (100 degrees Celsius). Use tongs to then place the magnet in a bowl full of paper clips. Record the number of clips the magnet catches.
Electrical Current Detector
Use a magnet as an electrical current detector and test various materials for a measure of electrical conductivity. Use a magnetic compass inside a coil of wire, connecting one end of the coil to a D-cell battery and the other to the object being tested. For testing different materials, only test for as long as it takes for the compass needle to move to preserve battery life. When testing the conductivity of a liquid in a container, use paper clips to secure the wire against the container. Record the compass readings for each object tested.
Floating Magnets
Make magnets levitate by placing different magnets at opposite poles. Use two bar magnets, which both have their north and south counterparts labeled. Find out which parts of the magnet attract and repel each other, recording your results. Use a ring magnet and figure out which side is the north and south side. Slide one ring magnet through a pencil, keeping the pencil vertically in place. Slide a second ring down the pencil. The two identical poles of the ring magnets should repel each other, allowing the top magnet to levitate.