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How to Build an Anti-Gravity Magnet

Anti-gravity magnetism, also referred to as magnetic levitation or magnetic suspension, uses magnetic force to suspend an object in the air. Placing two magnets with their like poles aligned (north to north or south to south) causes the magnets to repel rather than attract each other. This pressure is used as a force against the gravitational pull on the object being suspended. With some common household items and just a little bit of time, you can make a small antigravity magnet.

Things You'll Need

Piece of wood, 1 x 1 inches, about 20 inches in length (to be cut into four)
6 screws
Wood glue
2 round magnets with holes in the center
4 square magnets with holes in the center
Dowel that fits through the holes of the round magnets snugly (a #2 pencil works well)

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the polarity of your magnets. This is determined by simply placing the magnets close together and seeing which sides attract each other and which repel. Mark the sides that repel each other.
- 2
  Cut the wood into four pieces. One piece should be about 8 inches in length; the other three pieces should each be about 4 inches long.
- 3
  
  The first two pieces of wood should look like an "L" on its back.
  
  Lay the longer piece of wood on a flat surface. Glue one of the remaining shorter pieces to the end of the first piece so that it creates a right angle, with the shorter piece standing vertically. The two pieces should now look like the letter "L" lying on its back. The shorter piece standing vertically will be referred to as the back of the device, and the other end the front.
- 4
  
  This section of the device should slightly resemble a telephone pole.
  
  Lay the two remaining pieces of wood flat on top of and perpendicular to the base piece, a few inches apart, and screw them into place.
- 5
  Screw your square magnets onto the front-facing sides (the sides that do not face the vertical piece) of the two shorter pieces of wood you just screwed into place. The magnets need to be placed at the intersections of the wood pieces, their polarity all facing the same way. They also need to be tilted so that they point toward each other at the bottom and away from each other at the top, creating a shape like the letter "V". This will create a "magnetic fold," above which your pencil or dowel will hover.
- 6
  Slide your dowel or pencil through the holes of the two round magnets. The distance between the two magnets should match the distance between the two "V"-shaped configurations made with the square magnets. Apply glue so the round magnets are firmly set. You may want to let the glue set overnight. The dowel should now resemble the axle of a car or wagon.
- 7
  Place the dowel parallel to the base of the device, the rounded magnets just above the square ones. The dowel should now hover above the square magnets. If you are using a pencil, slide the sharpened, leaded side in toward the vertical piece of wood. You may even want to create a small dimple in the vertical piece of wood where the point of the pencil meets it.

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