Magnetism

What is magnetism?

Concept: Magnets store energy depending on their relative positions. Forces that act at a distance can be explained by fields that extend through space and can be mapped by their effect on a test object.

Guiding Question: Do objects have to touch to apply a force on each other?

Magnetic materials, including the Earth, have surrounding force fields that interact with magnetic objects around them. Magnetism is caused by the movement of electrons, which spin like tops. When all the electrons spin in the same direction, the object becomes magnetic.

PHENOMENON

What do you see happening in the images to the right?

Why do you think this is happening?

Where do you think this would be occurring?

Resource: Aurora Borealis

Notes / Reading Resources

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Magnetic Potential Energy Article

Pre-Read

Simulations

Magnetic Field Simulation: Click on the picture below to access the simulation.

LABS

Magnetic Field Viewer Lab: Follow the directions and only view these images after you make your predictions. Then refer to this to these images and draw the actual results.

One Round Magnet

Opposite Poles With Two Bars

SAME Poles Field Strength Test VIDEO

Same Poles Distance Test.mov

2-2

Two Round Magnets, 3cm apart

Opposite Poles Field Strength Test VIDEO

Opposite Poles Distance Test.mov

1-1-1-1

1-3

Single Bar

Same Poles With Two Bars

2-1-1

3-1

Combining Magnetic Forces.mov

What do you notice about the distance between the combined magnets and the one that is repelled above them?

Make a Compass

make a compass.mov

Videos

Vocabulary

North Pole - the end of a magnet that seeks the earth's north magnetic pole.

South Pole - the end of a magnet that seeks the earth's south magnetic pole.

attract - To pull toward one another, as opposite poles of two magnets pull toward one another.

Repel - When magnets push apart

Magnetic field - The area around a magnet where the magnetic force is exerted

Compass - a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north

Magnetize - give magnetic properties to; make magnetic; To charge the object so that it gives off a magnetic field.

Ferromagnet - materials that contain iron, nickel or cobalt; these materials can form magnets and are attracted to magnets

Magnetic domain - A region in which the magnetic fields of all atoms are lined up in the same direction

Permanent magnets - Magnets that do not require any power source or force to maintain their field.

Vocabulary Game(s): Click on the Quizlet link below to practice the vocabulary for this unit in different ways.

temporary magnets - a magnet made from a material that loses its magnetism easily

Electrons - Negatively charged subatomic particles

electromagnet - temporary magnet made by passing an electric current through a wire coiled around an iron bar

Aurora borealis - The colorful bands of light that can be seen in the skies of the northern hemisphere

Magnet - The area of magnetic force around a magnet; Any material that attracts iron and materials that contain iron

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