Using Lodestones

From the earliest days of navigation,  natural magnets were used as direction finders.  We are going to create a direction finder with one of our lodestones.  

  

Step 1: Find the north pole of your lodestone.  

To do this, lay your lodestone flat on the table and put your compass near the stone.  Move the compass around the stone until the south end of the compass swings around toward the stone.  Mark this side of the lodestone with a small dot.  This dot is on the north pole of the stone. 

Opposite poles attract so when your south pole on the compass points to a location on the stone, it's because the north pole on the stone, is pulling on the south pole of the compass needle.  

Note:  Some stones will have the north pole at the top or bottom of the stone.  We will not use these stones.  We need a stone that will lay flat and have the north pole on one side and the south pole on the opposite side.  
Step 2: Find and mark the south pole of your lodestone using the same process, this time the north end of the compass will point to the south pole of your lodestone.  
Step 3:   Take a mark-on-anything pen or a pencil and put a line across the stone straight from the north to the south pole.  Make sure you can see the dot on the north pole end so you don't get it mixed up with the other end.   
Step 4: Find a leaf that looks like it would make a good boat.  Gently lay the leaf on some water.  You can do this inside in a bowl, but it's more fun to do it outside in a pond or puddle like the people of long ago would have done.  
Step 5:   Now carefully--CAREFULLY--place your lodestone on the leaf with the north pole end pointing to the tip of the leaf and the line across the stone in line with the vanes in the leaf.  Try not to get your leaf wet like I did, but if you do just pick it up and shake it off.  

If it works properly, the leaf will slowly turn around and point to the north pole of the earth.  

Note:  If your lodestone compass does not work, here are some things to try.  

  • Try another stone.  The one you are using may not have a strong enough field.  I had to try three before I found one strong enough.  
  • Try again when the wind is not so strong if you are outside.  
  • Make sure that there are no lodestones lying around close to your water hole or pieces of metal.  This will not work in a metal bowl.  
  • Don't let your leaf get close to anything like blades of grass, the edge of the water, Lilly pads...
  • My grandfather used to have an old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do succeed.  Ha! Ha!  (He just meant that you can't give up.... You have to keep trying till you get it rite).