Place iron filings on a piece of white paper. Arrange two bar magnets so that both of their positive ends are pointed toward one another. The filings will be repelled and they will form lines pointing away from the magnets. Remove the magnets and shake the paper so the filings are in a pile in the center once again. Repeat the process with the two negative poles pointed toward one another, and then with one positive and one negative pole pointed toward one another. Explain why the filings are repelled or attracted to the magnets.
Divide the iron filings in half. Place one pile of iron filings in a cup of cool water for one hour. Drain the water and allow the iron filings to dry overnight. In the morning, the iron will have oxidized, or rusted. Place a bar magnet 1 inch above the non-rusted iron filings. Remove the filings from the magnet and weigh them. Record the weight. Repeat the process with the rusted iron filings. Compare the weights of the filings. Explain why the pile of rusted iron filings is smaller, yet weighs more.
Mix the iron filings with sugar in a small container. Shake the container to mix the filings and sugar thoroughly. Place a bar magnet horizontally over the iron and sugar mixture. The iron filings will be attracted to the magnet, but not the sugar. Repeat the process until the sugar appears pure. Explain why the iron was attracted to the magnet but the sugar wasn't. Discuss how magnets are used to remove iron particles.
Heat equal parts of iron and sulfur powder in a test tube over a bunsen burner in a well-ventilated lab. The iron and sulfur will form a compound called iron sulfide. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Hold a bar magnet over a pile of iron filings. Explain how they are attracted to the magnet. Hold the bar magnet over the iron sulfide. The iron sulfide will not be attracted to the magnet. Explain how combining the iron with sulfur changed the magnetic properties of the iron.