student ideas

People need to play with magnets

rallain | October 6, 2008

Question from class: *What do magnets interact with?* Basically, everyone said "metals". I am quite surprised. No one specifically indicated that magnets only interact with iron and steel (of the materials they would likely see). I understand that steel is a very common material they are likely to encounter, but what about aluminum? I think this points to the idea that very few of my students have actually played with magnets. This is a shame. Everyone loves magnets. So, I propose you go out and give someone you love some magnets today.