Mysterious Movements - An Adventure in Magnetic Movements

As a mechanical engineer, I like projects that move, and I never really considered a project in magnetism until I came across this kit from a local resource store for teachers (RAFT). And to be honest, I never thought I'd sit here and play with magnets for an hour.

I was going to explain what magnets are, etc., but I found this great site that explains everything about magnetism. So, I decided to add a link to that here instead of trying to explain it myself.

All about Magnetism web page

This is the kit I bought.

Parts from the package

So, this is what we're doing today. An Adventure in Magnetic Movements.

Center core assembly.

Center core assembly completed.

2 pill magnets dancing video

Pill magnets move as if they are strung on a string. The pill magnet pairs will move to be evenly spaced around the ring magnet.

4 pill magnets dancing video

It's the same with 4 pill magnets. Pill magnets move as if they are strung on a string. The pill magnet pairs will move to be evenly spaced around the ring magnet.

6 pill magnets dancing video

It's the same with 6 pill magnets. Pill magnets move as if they are strung on a string. The pill magnet pairs will move to be evenly spaced around the ring magnet.

Equidistant Wiggle video 1

Equidistant Wiggle video 2

As more pill magnets are added, the pill magnets move equidistant apart. 

The pill magnet pairs will move to be evenly spaced around the ring magnet.

Mysterious Movements video

I used the magnets from the kit, but you can use any magnets you find. 

Small or big, it really doesn't matter.

Again, I didn't realize how much fun I could have with some simple magnets. 

I hope you do, too.

Have a great day.