A Floating Compass

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
When you tie a magnet with the styrofoam, and put it on a tub of water and let it move freely,why does it show the north and south directions?
- Ng Hui Ching (age 11)
Tampines North Primary School, Singapore
A:
Ng -

When you make a magnet float like this, you’re actually building something called a ’compass’. To learn how compasses work, you can check out the answer to the question titled .

-Tamara

(published on 10/22/2007)