Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Here's the situation: I made the base with the wood and I put in the wire hanger and I got the neodymium magnets, but they chipped. So far, these chips haven't affected the magnetic force of the magnets. Do United States coins work with this project, or do i need to get different coins. So far, the United States coins haven't worked at all. I've tried everything and can't get it to work. Are there any suggestions on what to do differently? PLEASE HELP

If I understand this correctly, you are attempting to prfomr the experiment in this Science Buddies experiment: Spare-Change Circus: Walking Coins on a (Vertical!) 'High Wire', which is described at the web site: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p024.shtml

There are a couple really good instructions in that experiment you need to review:
Determining Magnetic Properties of Coins

1. Mix all the coins together in a bowl or in a pile on a table.
2. Pass your strong magnet over the top of the coins.
3. Record which coins are attracted to the magnet and which ones are not.
4. Did it matter what color the coin was or which country the coin was from?

- and -

Step 3: Take one of the ferromagnetic coins and place in the center of the wire hanger as shown below. Hold the coin with one hand and take your other hand and place the magnet against the opposite site of the wall adjacent to the coin.

The small chips in your magnet will not affect this experiment. But you MUST use ferromagnetic coins. I don't believe any US coins will meet that requirement. You can test them with your magnet by testing just as it describes above.

If you don't have any foreign coins, you might be able to find some at a major airport where they change money. Some times large banks have them available as well.

Good luck.

Yeah, I don't have any of the foreign coins, except for a Canadien one. That one worked, and so did the washers. I'm not really sure what kind of washers they were, though.

Thank you so much for the help,
Daniel Dodd