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Did you know that you can get paper clips to stick together to form a chain? It may seem like magic, but it's actually science and it's fun!

This experiment only takes about 5 minutes to pull together and it's perfect for toddlers through elementary age children. The result will definitely capture their attention and it's a great way to explore magnet transference.

A demonstration video, printable instructions, and an easy to understand explanation of how it works are included.

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works

Supplies Needed

Magnet PaperClip Chain Science Experiment Instructions

Step 1 - Begin by trying to get the paperclips to stick together to form a chain. Do this put holding one paperclip and then putting another next to it. You'll notice that when you let go the paperclip falls to the table. There is no way to get the paperclips to stick together...unless we add another item.

Step 2 - Next, take a magnet and place one paperclip on it.

Helpful Tip: The stronger the magnet, the more paperclips you will be able to stick together. We used Ceramic Round Disc Magnets and put 5 together to form our magnet. Another option is to use a Ceramic Bar Magnet.

Step 3 - Next, slowly add a second paperclip to the bottom of the first one. Take your time on this one because the magnetic force will want to pull the second paperclip up to the magnet, but if you are patient, you can get it to balance at the end of the first paperclip.

Step 4 - Once you have two paperclips stick together, try to add another and then another until you've formed a long paperclip chain.

Step 5 - And as if the experiment wasn't amazing already, let's add a fun twist and remove the paperclip chain from the magnet. To do this, pinch and hold the first paperclip, then slowly pull the magnet away. Then watch in amazement as the paperclip chain stays together.

Do you know the why the paperclips stuck together, event when they weren't attached to the magnet? Find out the answer in the how does this experiment work section below.

Video Tutorial

Use a Magnet to Create a Paperclip Chain Science Experiment Step by Step Instructional Video

How Does the Science Experiment Work

Paperclips are not naturally magnetic, so, on their own, they will not stick together to form a chain. However, by using a magnet the paperclips can become temporarily magnetized. The steel in a paper clip can be easily magnetized but will lose this magnetism quickly. Materials that can be temporarily magnetized, but then quickly lose the magnetism are known as temporary magnets. In this experiment, the magnetic force of the magnet is transferred through the metal paper clips. Once the paper clips become magnetized, you can place them together to form a chain.

In addition, once the magnet is removed, the paper clips will stay temporarily magnetized and still stick together.

More Science Fun

After conducting the experiment you can add to the fun and learning by turning the science experiment into a friendly competition. Take turns building a paperclip chain and see who can create the longest chain. The more powerful the magnet, the longer you will be able to make the chain.

Our longest chain was 5 paperclips and it took a lot of time and patience to get the fifth paperclip to stay connected.

Leave a comment to let us know how long you were able to make your paper clip chain.

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

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Use a Magnet to Make a Paperclip Chain Science Experiment

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Did you know that you can get paper clips to stick together to form a chain? It may seem like magic, but it's actually science and it's fun! This experiment only takes about 5 minutes to pull together and it's perfect for toddlers through elementary age children.

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Teachers TV- Primary Science -Electricity

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http://edchat.net - © Crown Copyright. Provided by Education not Limited Further resources available on http://edchat.net Licensed to Education not Limited formerly The Artists' Guild Ltd. Licence information available at www.edchat.net

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Electricity can be created in a variety of ways such as:

burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) at power stations,

using wind power generated by wind turbines,

using solar power generated by the sun,

using water power (sometimes called hydropower) generated by running or falling water.

Electricity is transported to our homes, schools and places of work through wires and cables.

Electricity can also be stored in batteries (sometimes called cells).

Primary-school children also learn about simple series electrical circuits. A simple series electrical circuit is a circuit for electricity to flow around as shown in the diagram. It's simple because the circuit is a single wire running from a battery to a bulb and back again.

The diagram shows a battery (cell) with wires connecting it to the bulb.

Some of the electrical vocabulary your child will learn to use includes these terms:

Current: this is the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit (basically a flow of electrons moving in a loop in the circuit). It can be measured using an ammeter and measured in amps.

Voltage: is the difference in electrical energy between two parts of a circuit. It can be measured using a volt meter and is measured in volts. The bigger the voltage, the bigger the current. Large electrical items need a higher electrical voltage and current than smaller items.

Some objects conduct electricity; this means they allow electricity to flow through them easily. These are called conductors. Metal items such as spoons, paperclips and coins are good conductors.

Other objects do not allow electricity to flow through them easily; these are called insulators. Rubber, paper and some plastics are examples of insulators.

Semiconductors like silicon conduct or block electricity at different times and are used in electronics.

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Electricity can be created in a variety of ways such as: burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) at power stations, using wind power generated by wind turbines, using solar power generated by the sun, using water power (sometimes called hydropower) generated by running or falling water.

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Our magnet wands are one of our most used pieces of science kit and perfect for all kinds of magnet experiments and investigations. When my children were little they wandered around the house "testing" things to see if they were magnetic, then we went through a phase of magnet powered cars, boats and anything else we could make move.

Magnets are great for experiments and investigative activities as children can feel the force between them, but can't see it, which can feel almost magical!

If you like these, don't forget we've got 100s more free science experiments and activities to try.

Magnet Experiments for Preschoolers

Magnet Maze

Magnet mazes are fantastic as they are super easy to make and can be themed to whatever the child is interested in. We've had lots of fun with mini magnet mazes over the years, but there's nothing to stop you making a giant version!

LEGO magnet mazes are great fun too!

Crazy Pipe Cleaner Hair

Draw a head of a person and give them a new hair style using a magnet wand and some pipe cleaners.

Magnet Scavenger Hunt

We love this magnetic scavenger hunt from Inspiration Laboratories.

Another idea is to hide magnetic items and add little clues of codes for children to break which lead them to the next item.

Magnet Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are great fun for little ones and these magnet sensory bottles are extra special.

How strong is a magnet?

Find out how strong your magnet is using felt squares. Investigate to discover how many felt squares it takes to stop two magnet wands being attracted to each other.

Another ideas is to set up an investigation using different types of magnets and materials.

Ice and Magnet Experiments

This ice and magnet activity from Little Bins for Little Hands looks like great fun.

Find a story to recreate

We recently watched a brand new episode of the Clangers where the Iron Chicken get trapped in a pile of space rubbish. Straight away my little girls disappeared off to recreate the scene with our magnets and a stash of toys.

They created a magnet fishing rod using a stick and some string. Used plastic toys for space rubbish and made an 'Iron chicken' using kitchen foil with a magnet inside. It wasn't quite accurate to the story, but they did very well with the resources they had.

During the episode Small and Tiny first use nets to try to clear the space junk to free the Iron Chicken, but their nets break. We used the opportunity to talk about materials that might have made the nets stronger. Major Clanger then uses a magnet to collect the space rubbish. The girls predicted correctly that the weight of the space rubbish would weigh down the flying music boat!

Magnet Experiments for Older Children

This magnetic slime and electromagnetic train Frugal Fun for Boys look AMAZING!!

Extract iron from breakfast cereal? Remember to be very careful using strong magnets.

Babble Dabble Do has some incredible magnet tricks that are like magic!

Did you know you can use magnets to defy gravity? Can you see how the cardboard and paperclip seem to be floating?

Image taken from This IS Rocket Science

If you're looking for a great magnet set, this one from Learning Resources is our absolute favourite!

Can you think of any more magnet experiments for us?

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Our magnet wands are one of our most used pieces of science kit and perfect for all kinds of magnet experiments and investigations. When my children were little they wandered around the house "testing" things to see if they were magnetic, then we went through a phase of magnet powered cars , boats and anything else we could make move.

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You will need A large iron nail (about 3 inches) About 3 feet of THIN COATED copper wire A fresh D size battery Some paper clips or other small magnetic objects What to do 1. Leave about 8 inches of wire loose at one end and wrap most of the rest of the wire around …

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magnetism senior infants-second D&M bees