Magnet Power. – Practical Primary Science

Target Audience

Key Stage 2

Sc4 Physical Processes (Forces and Magnets)

“Notice that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance”

“Observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others”

To enable children to understand the unique properties of magnets that make them such a useful material in every day materials.

Children should be engaged with discussion relating to everyday use of magnets in the home and especially the use of Fridge Magnets.

It would be useful to initiate work relating to magnets with a display of these in the classroom..

All children rise to a challenge, so this would be an opportunity to investigate the strength of magnets.

Watch the video clip “Magnet Power” from the website practicalprimaryscience.co.uk
Set up two 4 by 2 blocks on end
Place stiff card across the top to form a bridge
Hold the magnet to be investigated immediately beneath the card
Place a paper clip on top of the card
Move the magnet to and fro beneath the card
If the clip moves record that the magnet can act through one thickness of card
Repeat this by adding additional thicknesses of card until the paper clip no longer moves and record the layers of thickness the magnet acts through

Depending on the level of adult support and / or additional apparatus the class should be split into groups of threes / fours
If additional help is not available then one group at a time will undertake the activity while other children will be involved in associated activities

Magnets are in every respect the same as other ferrous materials except that the molecular structure is organised with all north poles are facing in one direction with the south poles in the opposite direction. This underlies the property that the poles, north and south are the most powerful part of the magnet.