Amazing magnets
This Topic is About...
- I will learn about the poles of magnets and what they do.
- I will look for patterns in our results.
- I will learn about some uses of magnets.
You’re going to be a science explorer!
Key Words
- attract
- magnetism
- north pole
- repel
- south pole
Tap to Learn the Meanings!
- attract: To pull objects toward each other, like when a magnet pulls a paperclip.
- magnetism: A force that can attract or repel certain metals.
- north pole: One end of a magnet where magnetic force is strongest.
- repel: To push objects away from each other.
- south pole: The opposite end of the magnet from the north pole.
Excellent! You’re learning key words about magnets and magnetic forces.
Magnets and poles
Magnets come in different shapes.
All magnets have a north pole and a south pole. The north pole is sometimes coloured red and the south pole coloured blue.
Magnets can push and pull. This force is called magnetism. Materials that are pulled towards a magnet are magnetic materials. The metal paper clips shown below are magnetic. The magnet attracts the paper clips. Materials that are not attracted to a magnet are non-magnetic materials.
Sometimes magnets can push apart instead of pulling together. Magnets can repel.
Repel is the opposite of attract.
Magnets attract, magnets repel
Opposite poles will always attract each other.
Two poles the same will always repel each other.
North poles and south poles both attract magnetic materials.
Let’s Investigate!
Investigating poles
Sofia and Arun are trying to work out when the poles of magnets attract and when they repel. Arun says, “I think a north pole always attracts.”
Question
When do the poles of magnets attract and when do they repel? Is Arun’s idea that a north pole always attracts correct?
You will need
- some magnets
- some magnetic and non-magnetic objects
Method
- Use your magnets to test what happens when you bring different poles together (north–north, south–south, north–south).
- Look carefully for patterns in what happens when the poles are close together.
- Try the magnets at slightly different distances. Notice how far apart the magnets need to be before you no longer see attraction or repulsion.
- Use the magnets to test some magnetic and non-magnetic objects. What happens in each case?
- Decide whether Arun’s idea is correct.
- Write some clear sentences to explain what you found out.
Think and discuss
- Does the same thing happen every time you test the same poles?
- How far apart do the magnets need to be before they stop attracting or repelling?
- Is Arun’s idea that a north pole always attracts correct?
- How can you show your results using sentences or diagrams?
How am I doing?
Have a look at a friend’s sentences. Use the magnets to check whether their sentences are correct. Tell your friend what you find out.
Show answers
When you test the magnets, you should find that:
- Opposite poles (north and south) attract each other.
- Like poles (north–north or south–south) repel each other.
- The same thing happens every time you test the same pair of poles.
- The force is strongest when the magnets are close together and becomes weaker as they move further apart.
This means that Arun’s idea, “a north pole always attracts”, is not correct. A north pole only attracts a south pole. It repels another north pole.
Example sentences you might write: “A north pole attracts a south pole but repels another north pole.” “Magnets always attract opposite poles and repel like poles.”
FUN QUESTIONS
1. What are the two poles of a magnet called?
Show answer
2. Which pole is blue, and which is red?
Show answer
3. Do all magnets have poles?
Show answer
What are magnets used for?
Magnets have many uses.
This crane is using a magnet to sort metal.
A wind turbine uses magnets to make electricity.
An electric motor uses magnets to make things move.
