Heating a magnet: the pin on a thread · Simulation

Bunsen burner

Drag the burner along the bench. Closed air hole gives the yellow safety flame; open it for the hot blue flame.

Pin temperature

20 °C

The line marks about 770 °C, the Curie temperature of iron and steel.

Magnetic: yes. Held up by the magnet.

Magnet height

Gap between the magnet and the pin when it is held up.

Show the tiny magnets inside the pin

What this shows

The pin is a magnetic material: the magnet induces poles in it and holds it up against gravity. Above the Curie temperature the tiny magnets inside are shaken out of line, the pin stops being magnetic and it falls. As it cools it becomes magnetic again and is pulled back up. Not examined in 0625, but a classic demonstration.