Building a table top sculpture

Version B: Tabletop 1. Objective A series of permanent magnets mounted on a table or lab bench. Nickel-based coins stick to the magnet. Non-magnetic coins fall to the table. 2. Visitor Experience Description Visitors learn about the metals used in coins. They also learn that nickel is ferromagnetic. Signage alongside shows the coins and provides their metal content. The metal content of coin changes over the years as metal prices rise and forging techniques change. Build bridges between magnets and other engineering marvels or sculptures using your magnetic coins. 3. Key components of exhibits • A collection of strong magnets. • Graphics explaining coin composition 4. Space requirement Expect to use at least 50 sq ft 5. Adjacencies Needs to be placed in an appropriate context that deals with elements, magnetism, metals, earth sciences, or mining. 6. Preliminary cost breakdown Should be doable for <$1,000. 7. Prototyping recommendations Acquire a bunch of magnets (probably about $200 worth) and find a place to rig them up. We can test the concept using washers. 8. Other considerations What are some of the other activities that can be undertaken using a simple magnet tool bench? Background information: This experience is particularly suited to Canadian coins, as they contain up to 100% nickel. See Table 1 below. U.S. coins are primarily composed of an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The nickel content is too low to be attracted to a magnet. Pennies (since 1982) are 1% copper and 99% zinc. Older U.S. coins, virtually all of which have disappeared from circulation, contained high percentages of silver. See: http://www.coinfacts.com/