Ward's World Activity Guides

+ ward ' s science Page 2 Background Information, Activity Setup: • Students may benefit from basic knowledge of atomic structure; the magnetism generated by electrons; however, this is certainly not necessary for this lab experience. • Again, see the "Teacher Notes" section for variations and extensions that are best suited for your classroom. • Per student group: • prepare baggies of 5–6 intact cereal flakes • one neodymium magnet • one cup half to ¾ full of water • Have paper towels or rags on hand for accidental spills. Step-by-Step Procedure: 1. Students fill their plastic cup ½ to ¾ full of water. 2. From their group's baggie of intact flakes, remove one flake and float it on top of the water in the cup as if it is a boat. 3. Bring the neodymium magnet directly up against the outside wall of the plastic cup and hold it steady at the water line. 4. Observe the cereal flake being attracted and move toward the magnet. 5. "Sail" your group's cereal flake around the cup on top of the water by moving the placement of the magnet outside the cup. 6. See "Teaching Notes" for multiple variations of this lab experience. Expected Results: High iron content cereal will be very magnetic and responsive to magnets brought close to it. Teaching Notes: • The box(es) of cereal will of course go stale but can be used safely and with success for many years to come. Alternatives and lab variations: • Teacher demonstration: place a camera on the magnetic flake and "demo" it for the class. • Set up stations in the four corners of the room and compare the magnetic attraction of 4 different iron fortified cereals. Students may "time" how long it takes the cereal to "sail"/float from one side of the container to the magnet on the other. Graph results compared to the iron content. • Crush up several flakes of cereal inside zip lock baggies until powdered. Bring the magnet up against the plastic of the baggie from the outside. Observe particles attracted to the magnet. • Using a home blender create a slurry of water and cereal. Tape the magnet to the outside of the blender jar/work bowl. Allow the iron particles time to move toward the secured, unmoving magnet. Notice the amount of iron attracted. • Alternatively, insert a magnet inside a sealed zip lock baggie. • Place the baggie/magnet inside the slurry and allow time for the iron to attract and move up against the magnet/baggie. • Slowly remove the baggie/magnet and observe the iron attracted to the magnet. • Using zip lock baggies, have students create their own slurry of water and crushed cereal. • Students can simply crush cereal using their clenched fists while sandwiching dry cereal in between a half-folded piece of paper; crush cereal inside the zip lock baggies themselves. • Add water. • Tape a magnet to the side of the baggie. Allow time for the iron to attract and travel up against the baggie wall and magnet. Observe iron particles. Magnetic Force Fields: Attractive Breakfast Cereal! (continued)

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