Download the Unit 11: Magnetism file here.
Don’t forget – we didn’t record this track in a professional studio, so don’t worry if you hear pops, clicks, chimes, or other odd sounds – just focus on the real message and the learning that’s going on. Are you ready??
You have two options here. I do a teleclass for each new unit that’s posted to the e-Science site. You can find the next unit to be released on the syllabus and the date and time and phone number of the teleclass is here (also on the main page near the bottom). I also have live weekly call-ins where you can call in and ask anything you like about science. Find the Q&A Call info here. Does that help?
What unit is the next teleclass on?
-Holly Thomson
You’re right – there is iron in cereal, which makes your cereal magnetic!
The body uses iron in several different ways – not having enough iron can make your fingernails hurt and make you feel lethargic. The DV for iron can be found by clicking here. If you’re worried about having too much iron in your diet (most folks in this category feel nauseous and sick all the time), your best bet is to get a blood lab done by your doctor.
On the science side of things, you can run a strong magnet outside your cereal bowl and lift it up the side to see how much iron your cereal flaked off behind. You can also leave a black sheet of construction paper outside overnight, and run a strong magnet under it in the morning to see how many magnetic flakes you caught… it’s the fastest way to capture miniature meteorites!
Hi Aurora,
My son and I are enjoying your class on “Magnetism”. I have a question for you. A few months ago, my son found in his breakfast cereal, Honey Bunches of Oats, some iron shavings that remained with the milk at the bottom of the cereal bowl. I was shocked! Now I’m wondering if that iron was dietary iron? The box does say “Reduced Iron”. If not, do you know what the dangers of him having consumed some iron metal are?
Thanks!