Magnetic Forces Mini Lesson

Tennessee Science Standards: GLE 0407.Inq.1 Explore different scientific phenomena by asking questions, making logical predictions, planning investigations and recording data.
 GLE 0407.Inq.3 Select and use appropriate tools and simple equipment to conduct an investigation.
 GLE 0407.Inq.3 Organize data into appropriate tables, graphs, drawings, or diagrams.
 GLE 0407.12.1 Explore the interactions between magnets.
 GLE 0407.12.2 Observe that electrically charged objects exert a pull on other materials.

Description: This lesson provides an introduction to magnets and their properties. Students will learn how to locate poles on various kinds of magnets. Students will also observe how like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. In addition, students will become familiar with natural magnets and the different materials a magnet can attract.

Goals: To introduce students to the properties of magnets.

Objectives:

Students will be able to locate poles on various kinds of magnets.
Students will be able to identify the strongest parts of a magnet.
Students will be able to observe that like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other.

Magnetism is a force all around us. It cannot be seen but the way it acts can be seen. Magnets exert a force of attraction on anything made of iron. Anything made of iron will be attracted to a magnet. A magnet will often not attract things that are not made of, or do not contain iron. However, scientist have developed and discovered materials that are non-ferrous (no iron) that will act as magnets and be attracted to magnets.

N S


Look at the magnet above. It is called a bar magnet. It has two ends. The end labeled N means north. The end labeled S means south. These two ends are the magnetic poles. The force of a magnet is strongest at the poles. If you tie a string to the middle of a bar magnet, the north end will point north and the south end will point south.

The earth is like a giant magnet! The magnetic fields surrounding earth are near the North Pole and the South Pole. That is why the poles or ends of a bar magnet are called north and south.

Look at the magnets below. The south pole of a magnet attracts the north pole of another magnet.


N S

N S

Unlike Poles Attract

Repel means "push away" or "push apart." Look at the magnets below. The north pole of the magnet repels the north pole of the other magnet.

S N

N S

Like poles repel


Try it yourself! Get two bar magnets and experiment with them.

Directions: Answer the questions about magnetism.

Which one will a magnet attract?
plastic comb
paperclip
shoelace

Which one will a magnet not attract?
glass
screw
nail

The south end of a bar magnet is labeled
N
S

The north end of a bar magnet is labeled
N
S

A bar magnet is strongest at the
middle
poles

The earth is like a giant
force
magnet
iron

The north end of a bar magnet always points to the
north
south

The south end of a bar magnet always points to the
north
south

Repel means
push away
come together

Poles that are not alike
repel each other
attract each other

Poles that are alike
repel each other
attract each other