Magnets and magnetic materials
This Topic is About...
- I will learn the difference between a magnet and a magnetic material.
- I will predict which materials are magnetic and which are not.
- I will plan and carry out a fair test to find out which materials are magnetic.
- I will record my results in a table and check how accurate my predictions were.
- I will look for patterns in my results and make a conclusion from what I find.
You’re going to be a magnetism investigator! 🧲
Key Words
- alloy
- magnetic materials
Tap to Learn the Meanings!
- alloy: A mixture of two or more metals that makes a stronger or more useful material.
- magnetic materials: Materials that are attracted to a magnet, like iron, nickel, and cobalt.
Now you know the key words for your magnetism topic!
Discovering Magnetic Materials 🧲
Magnetic materials are materials that are attracted to a magnet. Fridge magnets stick to a fridge because the fridge is made from a magnetic material.
Metals and Non-metals ⚙️
Some metal objects are attracted to a magnet, but non-metals like plastic and wood are not attracted to a magnet.
Precious Metals and Magnetism ✨
Some metals are precious, such as silver, gold and platinum. None of these metals are magnetic. Some of the metals that we use in everyday life are iron, steel, aluminium, copper and chromium. Often things are made from a mixture of metals. A mixture of metals is called an alloy. For example, steel is an alloy made mainly from iron. It is much stronger than iron. We use steel to make machines, steel pipes and bridges.
Chromium and Stainless Steel 🔩
Chromium is mixed with steel to make an alloy called stainless steel. Stainless steel does not rust. It is used in many objects such as knives, sinks and medical instruments.
Brass and Its Uses 🛠️
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. We use brass to make door handles and ornaments.
Testing Metals for Magnetism 🧲
If you hold a magnet next to an object and you can feel the pulling force of the magnet, the object is attracted to the magnet. This means the object is made of magnetic material. You are going to test some metals and alloys to see if they are magnetic or not. Remember that if the object is made from an alloy you will be testing more than one metal at the same time.
🔍 Let’s Investigate!
🧲 Question: Which metals and alloys are magnetic, and which are not?
🧰 Equipment: A magnet, a selection of objects made from different metals and alloys such as steel wool, copper scourer, copper wires, brass handle or brass candle stick, steel pins, steel screws, stainless steel cutlery, steel paperclips (no plastic covering), an iron bolt or nail, copper and nickel coins, aluminium foil, and a cast iron cooking pot.
🧪 Method:
- List the objects you have chosen and identify the metal or alloy that each object is made from.
- Copy the table below and fill in the first two columns.
| Object | Metal or alloy object is made from | Prediction: magnetic or not? | Result: magnetic or not? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 |
- Predict which objects will be magnetic and fill in column 3.
- Plan a fair test to check your prediction.
- Use the magnet to test each object and record the result in the final column.
❓ Follow-up Questions:
🌟 Tap to See Answers
- 1: Most predictions matched — steel and iron we
🧲 What Makes Magnets and Magnetic Materials Different?
A magnet is a special material that has an area around it where magnetic force is active. We cannot see this area, but inside it, the magnet can attract or repel other magnets and also attract magnetic materials.
A magnetic material does not have its own magnetic area. It cannot attract another magnetic material by itself. Instead, it can only be attracted to a magnet when it is inside the magnet’s area of magnetic force.
Industry uses this property to separate materials. For example, a strong magnet can lift steel parts from crushed cars in a scrapyard while leaving behind non-magnetic materials like plastic and glass.