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There are few things more mysterious than magnetism. An invisible force that moves things, the cornerstone of navigation (on water or national parks), a power that invovles the very core of the earth. Here is a chance for you to play with magnetism in a way that is sure to surprise your friends.

• Two magnets
• String
• A sewing needle
• A small cork
• A saucer or small plate filled with water

What to do:

For the first part of this experiment, tie one of your magnets to the string. Now bring the north pole of your other magnet toward the north pole of the one on the string. The hanging magnet will spin around until its south pole meets the north pole of the other magnet. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

Now rub your sewing needle against one of your magnets. Stick the needle through the small cork and let it float in your water-filled plate. Hold a magnet over the floating needle and watch how you can control its movements. By turning the magnet in your hand, you can attract or repel the needle.

Did you know that you actually live on one huge magnet? That’s right, the earth, like all magnets, has north and south magnetic poles.

One end of a magnet is its north magnetic pole. The other end is its south pole. If you hang a magnet on a string, one end will always point north.