Activity

Levitating magnets

Summary
Stack ring magnets on a stick, so that they repell each other and "float".
Science content
Physics: Motion and Forces, Newton’s Laws, Gravity (K, 2, 6)
Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5)
Materials
  • several ring magnets
  • a skewer that the ring magnets can fit over
Procedure

Cap each end of a stick with 3 or 4 repelling magnets along the stick.
Students free play with their own stick.

Notes

Cheaper ceramic magnets break easily when students free play.

Grades taught
Gr 1
Gr 2
Gr 3
Gr 4
Gr 5