Magnetic Science Experiment Kit

Quick Answer: The Magnetic Science Experiment Kit is a starter set for classroom magnetism practicals. The listing image shows a bar magnet, a U-shaped magnet, round disc magnets, a magnetic compass and bottles of iron filings, which together cover poles, attraction and repulsion, field patterns and the Earth’s magnetism.

Core Pieces for Magnetism Practicals

The listing image of the magnetic science experiment kit shows a boxed bar magnet, a boxed U-shaped magnet, a boxed magnetic compass, two round disc magnets and two small bottles of iron filings. Between them these are the pieces most school syllabuses call for in their magnetism practicals, although the exact contents, magnet types and quantities should be confirmed when ordering.

The bar magnet and the compass make the classic field-plotting exercise possible. Students place the magnet on paper, mark where the compass needle points, move the compass along and repeat until a chain of dots becomes a field line running from the north pole round to the south. Iron filings sprinkled on a card laid over the magnet show the whole pattern at once. With the U-shaped magnet the filings reveal lines running almost straight across the gap between the poles, where the field is strong and nearly uniform, which is why that shape appears later in motor-effect experiments.

The disc magnets carry their poles on their flat faces, so stacking them and turning one over shows attraction and repulsion clearly. Other standard activities include hanging the bar magnet from a thread to find north, and magnetising a steel needle by stroking it. The broader Magnet Learning Kit adds more magnet shapes for younger pupils; this kit keeps to the core practical set.

Applications

• Plotting the field of a bar magnet with a compass
• Revealing field patterns with iron filings on card
• Testing which materials are magnetic and which are not
• Magnetising a steel needle and checking it with the compass

Care & Handling

• Lay a card or clear plastic sheet over the magnet before sprinkling iron filings, so filings do not cling to the poles.
• Keep bar magnets in pairs with opposite poles side by side, using keepers where supplied.
• Keep the compass stored well away from the magnets so its needle is not weakened or reversed.
• Keep iron filings away from eyes and wash hands after use.

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Science departments setting up a magnetism unit buy a kit like this for each practical group, because it covers the syllabus experiments without extra parts. LabEquip supplies it through the STEM kits range, and class-set questions can go through our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a field line plotted with a compass?

Place the magnet on paper, set the compass near one pole and mark the point the needle points to. Move the compass so its tail sits on that mark, mark again and repeat. Joining the dots gives a field line running from north to south.

Why should the iron filings not touch the magnet?

Filings cling to the poles and are hard to wipe off. Laying a card or a clear plastic sheet over the magnet and sprinkling the filings on top shows the same pattern and keeps the magnet clean.

Why is the field strongest between the poles of the U-shaped magnet?

The two poles face each other across a short gap, so the field lines run almost straight across it and are packed closely together. This gives a strong, nearly uniform field in the gap, useful in motor-effect experiments.

How can a steel needle be magnetised?

Stroke the needle many times in the same direction with one pole of the bar magnet, lifting the magnet well clear at the end of each stroke. The needle’s magnetic domains line up, and it will then pick up pins and deflect the compass.

Why does the compass point north?

The compass needle is a small magnet free to turn. The Earth behaves like a huge magnet whose magnetic south pole lies near the geographic North Pole, so the north-seeking end of the needle is drawn round to point north.

Why do two disc magnets sometimes jump together?

The attraction between two magnets grows very quickly as the distance between them shrinks. Once they are close, the force exceeds friction and they leap together, which can pinch fingers, so they should be brought together slowly.

Last Updated: September 2026