Make your own compass

Materials Needed

1. A small sewing needle or a straightened paperclip.
2. A magnet.
3. A small bowl of water.
4. A piece of cork, foam, or a small leaf (anything that floats).

Instructions

Magnetise the Needle

• Stroke the needle in one direction only with the magnet (from the eye to the tip or tip to eye, but not back and forth).
• Repeat this 20-30 times. This aligns the electron spins in the needle, making it temporarily magnetic.

Prepare the Floating Platform

• Cut a small piece of cork or foam. It should be big enough to hold the needle and float on water.
• Alternatively, use a small leaf if you don’t have cork or foam.

Assemble the Compass

• Place the magnetised needle gently on the cork, foam, or leaf.
• Ensure the needle balances well and doesn’t tip over.

Float the Compass

• Fill a bowl with water.
• Gently place the floating needle platform on the water.

Watch the Needle Align

• Wait a few moments. The needle will slowly spin and the magnetised end will point north.

Does it work?

Compare your homemade compass to a commercial one or a phone’s compass app.