PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass

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published by the Physics Education Technology Project

In this simulation, students explore how a compass works to point to Earth's poles. By moving a virtual compass around a bar magnet, users can predict the direction of the magnetic field for different locations. Now superimpose a planet Earth over the bar magnet and see the surprising results in the orientation of the poles! The simulation can be adapted well for use in middle school. For older students, add the field meter.

Editor's Note: In a unit on magnetism, teachers may wish to introduce a hands-on experiment prior to introducing the simulation. See Related Materials for recommended hands-on magnet labs.

This resource is part of a large collection of simulations developed by the Physics Education Technology project (PhET).

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java.

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Electricity & Magnetism - Magnetic Fields and Forces = Interacting Magnets = Magnetic Fields	- Middle School - High School - Lower Undergraduate - Informal Education	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Learner
General Public
Format:: application/java
Access Rights:: Free access
License:: This material is released under a GNU General Public License Version 2 license. Additional information is available.
Rights Holder:: PHET and University of Colorado
Keywords:: Earth's magnetic field, bar magnet, compass, magnetic field, magnetism simulation
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created January 23, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: January 23, 2011 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: September 1, 2010

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4G. Forces of Nature

9-12: 4G/H7. Electric currents in the earth's interior give the earth an extensive magnetic field, which we detect from the orientation of compass needles.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

6-8: 11B/M1. Models are often used to think about processes that happen too slowly, too quickly, or on too small a scale to observe directly. They are also used for processes that are too vast, too complex, or too dangerous to study.
6-8: 11B/M4. Simulations are often useful in modeling events and processes.

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Record Link

<a href="http://www.thephysicsfront.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=10596">Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, September 1, 2010.</a>

AIP Format

PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass, Version 1.02 (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2008), WWW Document, (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass, Version 1.02 (Physics Education Technology Project, Boulder, 2008), <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass>.

APA Format

PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass. (2010, September 1). Retrieved May 25, 2013, from Physics Education Technology Project: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass

Chicago Format

Physics Education Technology Project. PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, September 1, 2010. http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass (accessed 25 May 2013).

MLA Format

PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass. Vers. 1.02. Boulder: Physics Education Technology Project, 2008. 1 Sep. 2010. 25 May 2013 <http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass}, Publisher = {Physics Education Technology Project}, Volume = {2013}, Number = {25 May 2013}, Month = {September 1, 2010}, Year = {2008} }

Refer Export Format

%T PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass
%D September 1, 2010
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%C Boulder
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass
%O 1.02
%O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source
%D September 1, 2010
%T PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass
%I Physics Education Technology Project
%V 2013
%N 25 May 2013
%7 1.02
%8 September 1, 2010
%9 application/java
%U http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass

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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

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The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

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PhET Simulation: Magnet and Compass:

Covers the Same Topic As Magnet Man: Cool Experiments with Magnets

A comprehensive set of hands-on lab experiments using permanent magnets and electromagnets, most of which can be adapted easily to the secondary science classroom.

relation by Caroline Hall

Covers the Same Topic As http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/java/magcompass/index.html

A closely related simulation to explore how a compass responds to magnetic fields. A bar magnet may be moved about a compass to demonstrate strength-of-field. Remove the bar magnet to see the compass needle point north to the Earth's magnetic pole.

relation by Caroline Hall

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