Is Everything a Little Bit Magnetic?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Is everything a little bit magnetic?

The Big Idea

Is everything a little bit magnetic? In a way, yes! Everything reacts to a very strong magnetic field, even a pencil, a banana, or you, just a tiny bit. But for most materials, that reaction is a push, not a pull. Let's explore!

A Weak Push

Step one: a weak push. For most materials, a magnet gives a tiny push away instead of a pull. This weak push is called diamagnetism.

Too Small to Notice

Step two: too small to notice. At home, diamagnetism is much too small to notice. A fridge magnet is nowhere near strong enough to move a drop of water.

Giant Lab Magnets

Step three: giant lab magnets. In giant laboratory magnets, scientists have made water drops, grapes, and strawberries float in the air. The weak push of the magnet is strong enough there.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! A giant magnet sits below. A grape hovers above it. The magnet pushes up on the grape. The push balances gravity.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Water is weakly pushed away by magnets. In giant lab magnets, grapes and strawberries have floated. A fridge magnet is far too weak to do this. It takes a very powerful lab magnet, and a lot of careful science.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a picture of a grape floating above a giant magnet. Add a caption. Explain why you cannot do this with a fridge magnet. Share it with a grown-up. Share your results with someone you love.

Outro

Everything reacts a tiny bit to a strong magnet, and for many materials it is a gentle push away. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!