Detect a Magnet's Field
Summary
In this physics lab the students will discover the "magnet's field" where the magnet can exert its power to push or pull. The magnetic field is normally invisible but there is a way to see it!
CollapseLearning Goals
1.Students will work cooperatively to detect a magnet's field.
2. Students will use data analysis to discover that the magnet's field extends in all directions
3. Students will observe and record patterns of the filings.
Vocabulary Words: Magnetic field, opposite directions (push pull), attraction, patterns, invisible
2. Students will use data analysis to discover that the magnet's field extends in all directions
3. Students will observe and record patterns of the filings.
Vocabulary Words: Magnetic field, opposite directions (push pull), attraction, patterns, invisible
Context for Use
This physics lab could be used in the 4th grade when teaching magnetism. It is a lab and could be easily done the classroom in cooperative groups. I would allow 30 minutes for experiment and could be easily adapted for home setting. The only special equipment that most might not have on hand would be the iron filings.
Description and Teaching Materials
Introduction: Who thinks they can see the magnet's field? KWL on magnet's field. Invisible things? Forces Push Pull
Materials: Glass or plastic containers, syrup, pencil, string, bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, iron filings, clear food wrap
Student activity: 1. Pour a spoon of iron filings into a jar of syrup. Stir well mixing the filings evenly. Then pour some mixture into two clear glass or plastic containers. 2. Place two bar magnets under one container. Place two horseshoe magnets at opposite sides of the other. 3. Fill the third container with the mixture. Wrap a bar magnet in clear food wrap. Tie it with string to a pencil and then hang it in the container.
Students will record and draw patterns: What do they see? What can be concluded? Can the magnet's field be seen? Is it invisible?
Conclusion: The horseshoe magnets at opposite ends of a container both attract iron filings. The filings show how the magnetic fields loop around from one end of each magnet to the other end. A magnetic field extends in all directions around a magnet. You can see this clearly with magnet hanging in the syrup. It looks the same whichever way the students will turn it.
Materials: Glass or plastic containers, syrup, pencil, string, bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, iron filings, clear food wrap
Student activity: 1. Pour a spoon of iron filings into a jar of syrup. Stir well mixing the filings evenly. Then pour some mixture into two clear glass or plastic containers. 2. Place two bar magnets under one container. Place two horseshoe magnets at opposite sides of the other. 3. Fill the third container with the mixture. Wrap a bar magnet in clear food wrap. Tie it with string to a pencil and then hang it in the container.
Students will record and draw patterns: What do they see? What can be concluded? Can the magnet's field be seen? Is it invisible?
Conclusion: The horseshoe magnets at opposite ends of a container both attract iron filings. The filings show how the magnetic fields loop around from one end of each magnet to the other end. A magnetic field extends in all directions around a magnet. You can see this clearly with magnet hanging in the syrup. It looks the same whichever way the students will turn it.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Make sure to throw away the syrup after the experiment. Covering the magnet keeps it from getting sticky.
The magnet can pick up a whole chain of small steel objects. The magnet's field turns each one of the objects into a small magnet, which goes on to attract another steel object. I have never taught much Physics in my class and my electrical unit needed some new fun activities so I think this magnetic field experiment will be helpful to explain and teach the magnetic field.
The magnet can pick up a whole chain of small steel objects. The magnet's field turns each one of the objects into a small magnet, which goes on to attract another steel object. I have never taught much Physics in my class and my electrical unit needed some new fun activities so I think this magnetic field experiment will be helpful to explain and teach the magnetic field.
Assessment
The student's work / drawings should show the patterns in the directions of the pull so they should look like circles around the magnets.
Standards
Grade 4 II.E - Forces of Nature