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What is a magnet?
Magnets are objects that produce an area of magnetic force called a magnetic field - which is invisible to the human eye.
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What is a magnetic field?
A magnetic field is defined as a region around a magnetic material or a moving electric charge within which the force of magnetism (attraction) acts.
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Which types of metal are magnets attracted to?
Magnets attract to ferrous (contains iron) metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, certain steels and other alloys. Brass, aluminium, copper, and most stainless steels, however, are non ferrous (does not contain iron).
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Attraction or rejection?
Magnets have a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole. If the same pole of two magnets are placed near each other they will push away (repel), while if different poles are placed near each other they will pull together (attract).
(Science Kids, 2013)
(Science Kids, 2013)
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Learning experience activity
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Eating nails
Use a magnet to prove that there really is iron in your breakfast cereal
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Equipment:
- Box of iron-fortified breakfast cereal (e.g. All Bran)
- Measuring cup
- Super strong magnet
- Quart-size zipper-lock bag
- Water
- Ceramic bowl
- Paper towel
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Method:
1. Pour 1 cup of cereal into a large plastic zip lock bag.
2. Half fill the bag with warm water, then seal bag leaving an air pocket.
3. Squeeze and squash the contents of the bag until the cereal breaks down into a mushy brown liquid - allow mixture
to sit for 20 minutes.
4. Drain water from the settled mixture and pour the mushy cereal into a bowl.
5. Slowly drag magnet through the mixture.
6. Carefully wipe magnet on a piece of paper towel - little flecks of iron should be visible against the white towelling.
7. Repeat this process until the iron flecks are visible.
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Explanation:
Many breakfast cereals are fortified with food-grade iron particles (metallic iron) as a mineral supplement. Metallic iron is digested in the stomach and eventually absorbed in the small intestine.
Iron is found in a very important component of your blood called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs so that it can be utilized by your body. It's the iron in hemoglobin that gives blood its red appearance.
A diet deficient in iron can result in fatigue, reduced resistance to diseases, and increased heart and respiratory rates. Food scientists say that a healthy adult requires about 18 mg of iron each day.
- Box of iron-fortified breakfast cereal (e.g. All Bran)
- Measuring cup
- Super strong magnet
- Quart-size zipper-lock bag
- Water
- Ceramic bowl
- Paper towel
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Method:
1. Pour 1 cup of cereal into a large plastic zip lock bag.
2. Half fill the bag with warm water, then seal bag leaving an air pocket.
3. Squeeze and squash the contents of the bag until the cereal breaks down into a mushy brown liquid - allow mixture
to sit for 20 minutes.
4. Drain water from the settled mixture and pour the mushy cereal into a bowl.
5. Slowly drag magnet through the mixture.
6. Carefully wipe magnet on a piece of paper towel - little flecks of iron should be visible against the white towelling.
7. Repeat this process until the iron flecks are visible.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Explanation:
Many breakfast cereals are fortified with food-grade iron particles (metallic iron) as a mineral supplement. Metallic iron is digested in the stomach and eventually absorbed in the small intestine.
Iron is found in a very important component of your blood called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs so that it can be utilized by your body. It's the iron in hemoglobin that gives blood its red appearance.
A diet deficient in iron can result in fatigue, reduced resistance to diseases, and increased heart and respiratory rates. Food scientists say that a healthy adult requires about 18 mg of iron each day.