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Materials
lose their magnetic properties when raised past a certain temperature
called the
curie point
. In this exhibit a large magnet attracts
a U-shaped piece of metal which is attached to the end of a pendulum.
A current is passed through the metal, heating it until its curie
point is reached. The pendulum then swings away and the heating
is shut off. The visitor is allowed to keep the heating on or off
with buttons on the exhibit and also is able to feel the magnetic
force diminish as the curie point is reached by feeling the pull
on a string tied to the pendulum.
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