Science Fair Project

Big Question Will magnets attract each other better in water than air? Water does not work well as a magnet. However, scientists have proven that magnets do work in water. Some people think that magnets even make water softer and make water have good properties. This is called magnetic water treatment. This has not been proven. This experiment will test if magnets work better in water than in air.

Hypothesis If magnets are attracted to each other in water, then the strength of the attraction will be stronger in water compared to air.

Interesting Facts Physics is a type of science that tries to explain how things work in the world, like magnetism. Magnets are things that if you stick two of them together, they will stick together or push apart. In order for magnetism to work, it needs electrons. If you put positive to positive electrons together or negative to negative electrons together, they will push apart. If you put positive to negative electrons together, the magnets will connect or bind immediately. Iron and nickel work well as magnets. Copper and plastic do not work well as magnets. Water does not work well as a magnet either. However, scientists have proven that magnets do work in water. In fact, some people think that magnets even make water softer and make water have good properties. This is called magnetic water treatment. These scientists think magnets in water can help your teeth be stronger and make concrete stronger. This has not been proven.

Experiment Materials: Two identical Rectangular Pyrex (2 Quart) glass baking dishes. 2 cups of tap water. Black marker. 2 identical ceramic block magnets (2.2 mm X 4.8 cm X. 9.5 mm) from Lowe’s Store. Ruler.

Step by step instructions The control variable is the magnetic attraction in air which is found by measuring the distance the magnet moved. 1. Place the glass dish on the table. It should be empty. 2. With the black marker, write a mark on the outside of the glass at a point that is ½ inch above the bottom of the glass. 3. Place one magnet inside the glass at the spot where the black mark is written. Place this inside magnet so that it is touching the glass. Place this inside magnet so that it is centered with the black mark. 4. Place the other magnet against the glass, on the opposite side of the glass where the black mark is located. This magnet should be on the outside of the glass. 5. Move the outside magnet clockwise along the outside of the dish until the magnet inside the glass moves. 6. Measure the distance between the black mark (its center) and the outside magnet (its center). The experimental variable is how the magnet moves in water. The magnet attraction in water is measured by measuring the distance the magnet moved. The magnet attraction is guessed to be stronger in water than in the control dish (air). Fill the glass dish with 2 cups of tap water. Repeat steps 2-6 from above.

Two Variables The control variable is the magnetic attraction in air which is found by measuring the distance the magnet moved. The experimental variable is how the magnet moves in water. The magnet attraction in water is measured by measuring the distance the magnet moved. The magnet attraction is guessed to be stronger in water than in the control dish (air).

Observations from Experiment The two magnets moved away from each other when they got close to each other. This showed magnetism. Magnets moved in water when put close together. So even when wet, the magnets worked. Magnets worked in air, as expected. Bigger magnets worked better than smaller magnets at moving away from each other.

Data The magnet moved when it was 2 inches from the other magnet when it was in air. The magnet moved when it was 2 inches from the other magnet when it was in water.

Analysis of Data This experiment tested the hypothesis that if magnets are attracted to each other in water, then the strength of the attraction will be stronger in water compared to air. This experiment tested the magnets in air and in water. The distance was used as a way to measure the strength of the magnets and the magnetic field. A longer distance means the magnetic strength between the two magnets was stronger and that the magnetic field reached out to a further distance. There was no difference between the magnet strength in air and the magnet in water.

Conclusion My hypothesis was not correct in this experiment. I thought the magnet would be stronger in the water, but it turned out that the magnets were the same in water and in air. This means that magnets work the same in water as they do in air.

References First Science Encyclopedia. Senior Editors, Carrie Love, Caroline Stamps, Ben Morgan. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 2008. Magnets. Terry Jennings. Black Rabbit Books. 2009. Magnets. Angela Royston. 2001,2008. Heinemann Library a division of Pearson Inc. Chicago, Illinois. Magnets. Kris Hirschmann. 2006. Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. Wikipedia. Magnets.