How Can a Magnet Make a Paper Clip Hover in the Air?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How can a magnet make a paper clip hover in the air?

The Big Idea

Can a paper clip hover in the air, held up by an invisible pull? Yes, with a thread, a magnet, and a little patience. Let's find out how this trick works!

Tie It Down

Step one: tie it down. Tie a thread to a steel paper clip and tape the other end to a table. The thread keeps the clip from flying all the way up to the magnet.

Pull Up, Pull Down

Step two: pull up and pull down. Hold a magnet above the clip, and the clip lifts until the thread is tight. The magnet pulls it up, the thread pulls it down, and gravity pulls it down too, so it hangs in the air.

Block the View

Step three: pass a card between. If you pass a card between the magnet and the clip, the clip does not fall. The magnet's field passes right through the air and the card.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The magnet is held above. It pulls the clip up. Gravity and the thread pull it down. The clip hovers in between.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The magnet's field passes through the air and the card. The thread keeps the clip in place. Pulls up and pulls down are balanced. So the clip hangs in the air without touching anything.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Try the hover trick with a paper clip, a thread, and a magnet. Slide a piece of cardboard between them. See if the clip stays up. Try a thicker piece of cardboard too.

Outro

A paper clip can hover when a magnet's pull up is balanced by the thread and gravity pulling down. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!