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Move the Money

Can you move a dollar bill without touching it? Now you can!

For this magnet experiment, you’ll need:

• One powerful magnet, such as a Neodymium (rare earth) magnet. If you need to purchase one that will work with this magnet experiment, try Dowling #731020
• A dollar bill

How This Magnet Experiment Works

Place a one-dollar bill on a table or in the palm of your hand. Bring the magnet close to the bill, and then slowly pull it away. The bill should move slightly. Now, try this experiment with a five-dollar bill, and with coins from different countries.

Why This Magnet Experiment Works

Paper money has small amounts of iron added to the ink for security purposes. A strong magnet is able to attract the iron in the money. Many foreign coins contain iron and will also be attracted to magnets.