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Magnetic or Not?
Magnetic or Not?
Standards:
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
Materials:
magnets
large tray to sort the objects (optional)
Labels that say magnetic and non-magnetic (optional)
Objects found around the house that could be magnetic or non-magnetic such as...
pipe cleaners, paperclips, small metal spoon/fork
wood block, eraser, plastic spoon
Summary:
Important scientific skills include prediction and investigation. This activity practices both! Give your students a selection of objects and ask them to predict which they think are magnetic or not. Their investigation might throw up a few surprises.
Focus Questions:
What do you predict will be magnetic?
What do the objects within each group have in common? (after finding magnetic vs non-magnetic items)
Are all magnetic objects made out of metal?
Posted by: Lauren Pio
Standards:
3-PS2-3. Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
Materials:
A large iron nail (about 3 inches)
About 3 feet of THIN COATED copper wire
A fresh D size battery
Some paper clips or other small magnetic objects
Summary:
With guidance, students will make their own electromagnet using a battery, wire, and a nail. They will learn about different types of magnets, and explore with their own magnet to discover how it works and what type of materials it attracts. Wrap up with comparing what type of modern day technologies use the power of magnetism and electricity, like their homemade electromagnetic.
Focus Questions:
Does the number of times you wrap the wire around the nail affect the strength of the nail?
Does the thickness or length of the nail affect the electromagnets strength?
Does the thickness of the wire affect the power of the electromagnet?
Posted by: Lauren Pio
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