Description
Torpedo magnets make a buzzing sound when thrown together!
This is due to the shape of the magnets which is designed to produce minimal contact between them.
- Either hold the magnets in two different hands or alternatively hold the magnets in one hand, keeping a finger between the magnets.
- Quickly toss them into the air so that they will come together.
- The momentum of the moving magnets as they first hit can briefly overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnets.
- This momentum is quickly halted as the magnetic attraction takes over.
- However, as the magnets come back together the magnets can overshoot past each other (again, due to momentum)
- This continues rapidly, creating the vibrating sound that you hear. It’s almost like they are singing!
- Once the magnets have completely connected, the sound stops as the magnets no longer rattle together.
Part of a range of magnetic science toys & teaching aids
Teaching ideas for the torpedo magnets
- Discuss how sound is caused by vibrations.
- Learn the difference between kinetic and potential energy.
- Use the magnets with the iron filings bubble case to examine how magnetic fields look.
- Create a maze on cardboard and move an iron piece through the maze with a magnet.
- Learn how aligning magnetic domains creates magnetism
School science visit that expands on this science teaching resource
Find out more about the properties of materials school science incursion
I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big FunI just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun