What is Magnetism? Magnetism is the force of attraction or repulsion of a magnetic material due to the arrangement of its atoms, particularly its electrons. Magnetic Objects contain: Iron, Nickel or cobalt

The ends of a magnet are where the magnetic effect is the strongest. These are called “poles.” Each magnet has 2 poles – 1 north, 1 south. These lines represent invisible magnetic force – magnetic fields (The tighter together the lines, the stronger the magnetic force) Magnetic fields travel from the north pole to south pole

Like repels like… Opposites attract!

If you cut a magnet in half, you get 2 smaller magnets!

An unmagnetized substance looks like this… While a magnetized substance looks like this…

TO MAGNETIZE A magnetic object…. Stroke the object in the same direction several times with a permanent magnet. NS

The Earth is a magnet: Physically a magnetic SOUTH pole due to the direction of the magnetic fields It exerts magnetic forces and is surrounded by a magnetic field that is strongest near the North and South magnetic poles Geographic North Pole Sometimes, the Earth’s magnetic poles flip. This happens every half- million years or so. Geographic South Pole Physically a magnetic NORTH pole due to the direction of the magnetic fields

We use the Earth’s magnetic field to find direction. The needle of a compass always points towards the physical Magnetic South Pole – Geographic North Pole Physically a magnetic SOUTH pole due to the direction of the magnetic fields Geographic North Pole Geographic South Pole Physically a magnetic NORTH pole due to the direction of the magnetic fields

Safety during science Labs! Follow instructions Do not taste or smell materials unless instructed Do not touch your face or eyes when working with unknown materials or chemicals Clean up lab station when finished Some labs will require safety goggles – Wear them! Act responsibly during labs Goofing off or not following safety rules will result in removal from lab activities!!

Station 1 What objects are Magnetic? 1.Test Objects to see if they are magnetic 2.Record which objects are magnetic on Lab Worksheet 3.Try to magnetize different objects 4.Record which objects are able to be magnetized 5.What can you conclude about the magnetic/magnetized objects 6.Try placing non-magnetic objects between the magnet and a magnetic object. Do they still attract? Is the attraction as strong? 7.Try submerging a magnetic object in water? Does water affect magnetism?

Station 2 Visualizing Magnetic Fields 1.Place magnet under paper plate 2.Sprinkle iron shavings on plate – iron shavings will show magnetic fields 3.Draw the magnetic fields shown by iron shavings on Lab Worksheet for each magnet (horseshoe, circular and bar) 4.Magnetize a nail 5.Sprinkle iron shavings to see the magnetic field of magnetized nail. 6.Were the magnetic fields as obvious as the magnets? Why or why not? Safety Goggles Required

Station 3 Magnetic pull 1.Sandwich 2 magnets on either side of a ruler (opposite poles so they attract) 2.Hang paperclips from magnet below the ruler 3.How many paperclips can hang from one magnet? 4.Add more magnets – repeat paper clips try different sizes 5.What happens when more magnets are added? 6.Does it help to magnetize the paperclips? Why?

Station 4 Make a compass 1.Magnetize a needle 2.Poke the needle through styrofoam cube and place in water. 3.Watch which direction the needle is pointing when it stops 4.Compare your compass to a real compass. Are they pointing the same direction? 5.What happens when you bring a magnet close to your needle? 6.Try both sides of magnet 7.What do you know about the poles of your magnet? 8.Confirm opposites attract and like repels theory with two magnets.