======Floating Needle Compass======


<WRAP right box>
**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
\\
**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
\\


**Alternative titles:** Homemade Compass
</WRAP>

====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}



====Procedure====  
  - Rub a bar magnet over a sewing needle several times in the same direction to magnetize it.  
  - Cut a cork into a thin circle, about 1/4 inch thick.  
  - Use pliers to carefully push the needle through the cork so that equal lengths of the needle stick out from both sides.  
  - Fill a glass halfway with water.  
  - Place the cork and needle assembly onto the surface of the water so it floats.  
  - Observe as the needle rotates and aligns with Earth’s magnetic field, pointing toward magnetic north or south.  
  - Test the compass by bringing a magnet or steel object near it and note the changes.



====Links==== 
How to make a Floating Needle Compass Science Experiment - Cool Science Experiments Headquarters: 
{{youtube>9EcKu9Oiot8?}}\\

How to Make Your Own Working Compass - LaFountaine of Knowledge: 
{{youtube>zOIT8nlfdd8?}}\\

📄 Make Your Own Compass - National Ocean Service: [[https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/dyw-make-compass.html]]\\


====Variations====
  * Try using different sizes of cork pieces to see how stability is affected.  
  * Use a leaf instead of cork and float it in a bowl of water outdoors.  
  * Compare results using different types of magnets for magnetizing the needle.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Needles are sharp—handle them carefully and use pliers to avoid injury.  
  * Keep magnets away from credit cards, ID cards, floppy disks, and electronic devices, as they can be damaged.  
  * Adult supervision recommended for younger children. 




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the needle align with Earth’s magnetic field? (Because Earth itself acts as a giant magnet, and the magnetized needle rotates to align with its field.)  
  * Would this compass work on a moving ship? (Not very well—the water would spill, and the floating cork would be unstable. A sturdier, low-friction bearing was needed for early sea navigation.)  
  * How does bringing another magnet close to the compass affect it? (The nearby magnetic field interferes, pulling the needle away from Earth’s magnetic alignment.)