Magnets
1. What are the different properties of magnets?
2. Why do magnets attract items made of iron?
3. Can a magnet attract iron items placed anywhere around it?
4. Which factors does the attraction of a magnet depend upon?
5. Is the attraction the same at all places around the magnet?
6. Is the magnetic field the same at all places around the magnet?
7. Where is the field of a magnet strongest and where is it weakest?
Bar Magnets Activity #1
Aim: To observe the strength of the magnetic field on a
nail at various distances and positions relative to a bar
magnet.
Materials: bar magnet and iron nail
1. Put an iron nail near one pole of the magnet.
What happens to the nail?
2. Increase the distance of the nail from the magnet.
What do you observe?
3. Place the nail at a different location keeping the distance from the magnet the same.
Continuously change the location of the nail around the magnet keeping the distance from
the magnet same.
Now what do you observe?
Bar Magnets Activity #2
Aim: To observe and draw the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
Materials: bar magnet, iron filings, folded cardboard
1. Place a bar magnet underneath the folded cardboard.
2. Sprinkle iron filings onto the cardboard over where the magnet is placed underneath.
3. Observe the field lines.
Where are they more concentrated?
4. Carefully fold the cardboard to help pour the iron filings back into their container.
5. Tidy up / return all materials to their correct place.
6. Pg 72 of your Scipad, Q#5