Physics Science Fair Projects

The world of physics is a wonderful one and one that is fascinating to explore with a science fair project! One of the most interesting physics science fair projects is building a homemade magnetometer to study how the Earth's magnetic fields are affected by the solar systems.

Solar storms affect the Earth's magnetic field, which causes slight alterations in the direction of the surface. These are called magnetic storms. A magnetometer operates as a compass that is highly sensitive to sense these slight alterations. A magnetometer made from a soda bottle is a contraption that can be easily built relatively inexpensive. This allows students to monitor the changes that take place. When a magnetic storm occurs, the compass will change degrees over a period of time and will then return to its normal position facing the magnetic north pole.

Creating a magnetometer can allow students to study alterations in the Earth's magnetic fields, looking for signs of magnetic storms. It is a simple experiment but the results are anything but simplistic! It's amazing to know that for this simple project can actually detect magnetic activity!

Materials Needed:

• One clean two litre soda bottle
  
• Sand (approximately two pounds)
  
• Thread (approximately two feet)
• Magnet
  
• An index card (3" x 5" should do)
  
• Piece of a drinking straw (about one inch)
• Dress sequin or small mirror
  
• Superglue
  
• Packing tape (about two inches and make sure it's clear)
  
• A meter stick
  
• A lamp that can be adjusted and has a bright light

Procedure:
1.) Wash the soda bottle and remove the labelling.
2.) Cut off the top third of the bottle.
3.) Cut a tiny hole in the centre of the cap.
4.) Put sand in the bottom of the second bottle.
5.) Place the index card inside the bottle, trimming if you have to.
6.) In the centre of the top edge of the card, glue the magnet.
7.) Glue the piece of straw to the top of the magnet.
8.) Glue the mirror to the front of the magnet.
9.) Put the thread through the straw and make a small triangle with sides of about two inches. Tie the thread once the triangle has been formed.
10.) Taking six more inches of thread, tie it to the top of the triangle that you created in step nine and put it through the hole in the cap.
11.) Attach the top and bottom so that the index card can swing with the mirror spot above the seam.
12.) Tape the bottle together and glue the thread through the cap in place.
13.) Put the bottle on a level surface and direct the lamp so that a reflected spot shows on a nearby wall about two metres away. Measure the changes in this spot position to detect magnetic storms.

Note: See the Disclaimer before starting this project.