I am working on a project for science fair about magnetic levitation,how could i make it in the easiest way ?

Question

I am working on a project for science fair about magnetic levitation,how could i make it in the easiest way ?

Answer 1

Look in the phone book or online for a science supply store and buy a couple donut shaped magnets which have their poles on the flat faces.  Stand a pencil upright in some clay and put one donut over the pencil.  Put the second donut over the pencil.  If the 2 same poles are facing each other, the magnets will repel and one will float above the other.  The pencil keeps it from sliding off to the side.

If you can't find this kind of magnet, then make your own.  Take a magnet and a small hammer to a hardware store and look for metal washers that are attracted to the magnet.  Not all metal can be easily magnetized, so when you find some small washers, tap them with the magnet while they are being held by the magnet.  This will knock some of the atoms into alignment.  Remove the magnet.  Hold the washer next to some unmagnetized washers.  If they don't attract, then the first one was not made with the right metals, and you have to try again with a different kind of washer.  If it does attract a new washer, do the same procedure with the new washer to magnetize it.  Now you have two donut shaped magnets.

Look for thin washers as your handmade magnets will not be strong and thick washers will probably be too heavy.

Ask the salesmen for help, they may be able to show you the right metal washers or even have ring magnets.

PS.  Big ring magnets used to be used on some old TVs.  You might get lucky asking at a local TV repair shop if they have any.