Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Why is iron filings important in making magnetic slime?





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The activity can be viewed at: Make Magnetic Slime

Hello,

Iron filings are important to the process of making magnetic slime because iron is magnetic. That is, the iron filings give the slime its magnetic properties. Iron is magnetic because it has free electrons (the source of electricity) that can move around in its metallically-bonded structure.

Hope this helps!

Exactly! The iron filings enable the slime to be magnetic by allowing the free electrons in iron to move. This is what makes the slime attract to magnets and adds to the overall experience of the activity.