So how many old pennies do I have to melt to make this?

Sure, learning about quantum mechanics in class is interesting, but when it really becomes a BOHR (haha) it's always fun to play with magnets. Like in the video below! How convenient.

http://digg.com/video/what-happens-when-you-drop-a-magnet-inside-a-copper-tube

I'll first try to explain magnetism before I try to explain why this magnet behaves this way in the copper tube. In the end, if you're disappointed with my explanation, well I bet it's not the first time you've been disappointed in your life. Alright so magnets! A magnet is anything that produces a magnetic field. Now it is known all matter is made up of atoms consisting of a nucleus and electrons. Electrons occupy suborbitals in energy levels, and there can only be two electrons in each suborbital. 

One electron spins clockwise while the other counter clockwise. If there are two electrons in a suborbital, then there opposite spins cancel each other out, but if there is only one, then a magnetic field is created! So if people are usually alone, they might watch sad movies while eating food. Nope! That doesn't cut it for electrons; they create magnetic fields. 

If there are enough atoms with these magnetic fields, then this object will be very responsive to magnets. These objects are known as ferromagnetic materials. Find a more elaborate explanation here: link: http://www.universetoday.com/82049/how-do-magnets-work/

Now for the magnet and the metal! Sounds like a story. Anyway, I learned in my chemistry class metallic bonds consist of a sea of electrons with positive nuclei floating in this "sea." The valence electrons occupy the space around these nuclei creating metallic bonds. Therefore there are two charges in the copper material while there is one charge in the magnet in this case. While one charge of the copper surrounding the magnet will be repelling the magnet, the other will be attracting it causing this spinning. So if you're ever under pressure from peers, make like a magnet and just start spinning? Maybe people will be freaked out and go away! Woo no more pressure! 

As you go further into chemistry and learn about more comprehensive topics such as intermolecular forces, like Van der Waal's forces, it's important to have an understanding of dipolar attraction of neighboring molecules and magnetic fields. Now if the last sentence sounded like Chinese to you, then do not worry about it at all! Still, it'd be nice to know the reason for magnets working is not magic or "just because." 

Wow, as I am writing this blog post, the final category on tonight's episode of Jeopardy was revealed as the periodic table. I think that's a sign for me to leave!