Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

We are doing the experiment that tests the magnet strength at different temperatures. Can you tell me what the key characteristics of the magnet are for this to work? It must be permanent, but does it have to be ceramic and a certain dimension? Will a different size magnet still work? Any help would be great as we try to gather our supplies.

You can look at the grade of magnet for different strengths.

You would want to decide how you are going to measure magnetic strength (e.g. how many washers it can hold). That determines the form factor you want.

Magnet materials determines how magnet strength changes with temperature.

Curie temperature is another factor which is the temperature above which the magnet loses permanent magnetism.

We are determining how many paper clips it can hold (measured by a scale) at different temperatures. Based on that, can you tell me what we need for the experiment in terms of the type/size/dimensions of the magnet?