How To Make A Magnet Attract Change

Attracting coins to a magnet can be an entertaining trick, especially for children learning about the properties of magnetism. Most household magnets, such as those found on your refrigerator, are too weak to pick up change. To collect coins, you will need a rare-earth magnet. Rare-earth magnets are very powerful and are often used in roller coasters and maglev trains. If you have a few magnetic coins, collecting them with a rare-earth magnet takes only a second.

Step 1

Obtain a rare-earth magnet, such as a neodymium magnet. These magnets may be found in magic shops or teaching resource stores.

Step 2

Collect magnetic coins that will react to the rare-earth magnet. For a coin to be magnetic, it must contain some iron. While current United States currency is not magnetic, coins from Canada, New Zealand and Israel, among others, possess magnetic properties.

Step 3

Hold the rare-earth magnet above the coins. If the coins are magnetic, they are attracted to the magnet. Due to its strength, the rare-earth magnet can pick up a chain of coins, with each coin attached to the other in a chain formation.