How Does it Work?

How Does it Work?

How does a magnetic building kit work? You can use a magnetic building kit to make all sorts of shapes. There are some small magnetic rods and ball bearings in the kit.

All magnets have a south pole and a north pole. When you put the north end of a magnet near the south end of another magnet, they join together. This is because the opposite ends of magnets attract each other. You put the ball bearings between the rods so that you can make interesting shapes. Did you know? The needle of a compass is a magnet. FACT If you put the north end of a magnet near the north end of another magnet, they will push each other away.

How does a magnetic drawing board work? You write on a magnetic drawing board with a magnetic pen. You move the sliding magnet up and down to rub out what you have written.

Inside a magnetic drawing board The screen has three parts. The front and back parts are pieces of plastic. The middle part is also plastic and looks like a honeycomb. The middle part is also plastic and looks like a honeycomb. When you draw on the front screen with the magnetic pen, the pieces are attracted to the top of the liquid. This means that you can see them through the screen. When you move the sliding magnet up and down, the magnetic pieces are attracted to the bottom of the liquid. This means you can't see them so the screen is clear. Did you know? Magnetic drawing boards are waterproof, so divers can use them to pass messages to each other underwater.

How does a friction car work? A friction car can moves by itself if you rub the wheels along the ground, then let it go.