Magnets Study Guide -- test on Thurs., May 21
Know the following vocabulary:
magnet – an object made of iron, nickel, or cobalt (or a combination of these materials) that has
the ability to attract or repel other magnetic materials
magnetism – an invisible force that attracts most materials made of iron, nickel, or cobalt
attract – to draw to
repel – to push away
force – the push or pull of an object
magnetic pole – the region where a magnet produces a force
magnetic field – the region around a magnet in which a magnetic force is exerted
compass – a device that determines the presence of a magnetic field and its direction
electromagnet – an iron core that is surrounded by a coil of insulated wire. When an electric
current passes through the coil, the core becomes a magnet.
Know which items the magnet attracted and did not attract from the
“Magnetic Attraction” sheet done in class.
sheet of paper (did not attract) paperclip (attracted)
brass washer (did not attract) metal washer (attracted)
metal leg of chair (attracted) seat of chair (did not attract)
wood stick (did not attract) aluminum foil (did not attract)
rubber band (did not attract) metal fastener (attracted)
glass (did not attract) class markerboard (attracted)
Students should know the following information:
The push or pull of an object is its force.
A magnet has a north pole and south pole.
The pole is where magnetism is the strongest.
When similar poles face each other they repel.
When different poles face each other they attract.
Related to the straw compass and motor experiment:
The experiment used magnetic force to spin the straw compass, creating a homemade compass.
Parts of a motor: