How A Metal Detector Works
![]() | A metal detector is another way of seeing beneath the soil. It helps to find metal objects under the ground. It works in the same sort of way as geophysics, but instead of using the Earth's own electrical and magnetic fields, it uses the electrical and magnetic fields of whatever metal objects are buried in the soil. Metal detectors were originally invented for use by the army, to help soldiers to find bombs or landmines that had been buried during wars. Nowadays, they are usually used for searching for archaeological finds.
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Metal detectors use a battery and a coil of metal wire that can conduct electricity very well to make a 'magnetic field'. When electricity is passed through the wire coil it generates this magnetic field around it, just like what you seen if you put iron filings on a piece of paper and then put a magnet under it.
This magnetic field is distorted when it is passed over a buried metal object and this change makes the "beep" that tells you that you have found something. When you try the West Mucking explore, you get the chance to try this!







