Notice how three magnets form an equilateral triangle, four magnets a square, five a regular pentagon and six a regular hexagon. Notice that if the central magnet is not uniformly magnetized asymmetries will appear. These patterns are all in equilibrium. Move one rim magnet closer to another and the repulsive force between them gets stronger pushing them back into the initially symmetric position. Hold the magnets in a vertical plane and notice ow the symmetry is broken.
Gravity pulls two of the magnets down.
The molecule modeled here is water, the Mickey Mouse molecule. Double thick magnets are easier to use. To Do and Notice Place four, five or six rim magnets around the central magnet. Push one rim magnet gently to the side notice how all the rim magnets begin to move. As another rim magnet moves into position under your finger push it to the side too.