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Floating Magnets

How can you make a magnet float in mid-air?

For this magnet experiment, you’ll need:

• Two or more ring magnets
• If you need to purchase one that will work with this magnet experiment, try Dowling #SS10
• A pencil or straw

How This Magnet Experiment Works

Push a pencil or straw through the hole in your two ring magnets until they come together, or attract. Now remove the top magnet, flip it over, and slide it back over the pencil. It will magically float above (or repel from) the other magnet.

Try to add a third or fourth magnet. How many can you float? Now slowly push the bottom magnet off the pencil. Did the magnet “jump”?

Why This Magnet Experiment Works

All magnets have a north and south (or positive and negative) pole. Opposite poles attract each other, and like poles repel.