Earth and some earth materials have magnetic properties. Without touching them, a magnet attracts things made of iron and either pushes or pulls on other magnets.
Standard 3: Students will understand that magnetism can be observed when there is an interaction between the magnetic fields of magnets or between a magnet and materials made of iron.
Objective 1: Investigate and compare the behavior of magnetism using magnets.
Objective 2: Describe how the magnetic field of Earth and a magnet are similar.
Standard 3: Students will understand that magnetism can be observed when there is an interaction between the magnetic fields of magnets or between a magnet and materials made of iron.
Objective 1: Investigate and compare the behavior of magnetism using magnets.
- Compare various types of magnets (e.g., permanent, temporary, and natural magnets) and their abilities to push or pull iron objects they are not touching.
- Investigate how magnets will both attract and repel other magnets.
- Compare permanent magnets and electromagnets.
- Research and report the use of magnets that is supported by sound scientific principles.
Objective 2: Describe how the magnetic field of Earth and a magnet are similar.
- Compare the magnetic fields of various types of magnets (e.g., bar magnet, disk magnet, horseshoe magnet).
- Compare Earth’s magnetic field to the magnetic field of a magnet.
- Construct a compass and explain how it works.
- Investigate the effects of magnets on the needle of a compass and compare this to the effects of Earth’s magnetic field on the needle of a compass (e.g., magnets effect the needle only at close distances, Earth’s magnetic field affects the needle at great distances, magnets close to a compass overrides the Earth’s effect on the needle).