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Understanding magnets: Make your own magnetic compass

Make your own magnetic compass
The Earth has a weak magnetic field caused by the movement of molten iron in its core. The Earth’s magnetic field acts on a magnetised needle, pulling one end towards the north and the other towards the south magnetic pole. Understand more about magnets by making your very own magnetic compass from a polystyrene pizza base, a needle, a pin and a strong magnet.

Keystage:  KS2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6

Find out more about magnetic force in our Homework Gnome section.