IOWA 4-9 SCIENCE PROJECT
TEACHER GUIDE for: Magnets 6-Behavior of Free Magnets Marlene Gaston
MAGNETS.475 Grades 4-7
CONCEPT OBJECTIVE: Students will investigate and observe that free moving
(either hanging or floating) magnets always align with their poles north
and south, therefore their behavior is the same as a compass.
PROCESS OBJECTIVE: To develop a student's observing, exploring, recording,
predicting and inferring skills.
MATERIALS: (for each student):
1 copy of Student Activity Worksheet 6
1 small bar shaped magnet
1 piece of string (12 inches)
1 transparent container (petri dish cover or bottom, glass pie or other
dish from home or other transparent container deep enough to hold enough
water to float a piece of cork)
1 straight pin or needle
water
(for the class):
Several small corks cut into thin slices
Several compasses
TEACHER BACKGROUND: A source of compasses is Delta Education, P.O. Box 3000,
Nashua, NH 03061-3000 (1-800-442-5444).
EXPLORATION:
1. Distribute 1 small bar shaped magnet, 1 piece of string and 1 copy of
Student Activity Worksheet 5 to each pupil.
2. Teacher's directions to students:
"Tie the string around your magnet so it can hang freely, horizontally
and balanced level. Find a place in the room where you can tie the other
end of the string and leave your magnet to hang freely."
3. Distribute 1 straight pin or needle, 1 transparent container of water,
and 1 thin slice of cork to each pupil. (These materials could be distributed
with the materials for the free hanging magnet. This would allow students
to magnetize the pin or needle with the same magnet they hang, before hanging
it.)
4. Teacher's directions to students:
"Make the pin (or needle) a temporary magnet by stroking it with a
magnet. (Students may need to be reminded to use one end of the magnet and
stroke the pin gently in one direction.) Float the cork slice on the water,
lay the magnetized pin on the cork."
Allow enough time for students to set up the equipment correctly and to
observe the free moving magnets, one hanging and one floating. The students
need to observe long enough for magnets become free of movement.
5. Ask the students to record their observations on Student Activity Worksheet
5 part A.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:
(This activity should be done with the whole class so students can observe
many magnets.)
1. Ask the class:
"How does the direction your free hanging magnet point compare with
the others in the class?" (The poles should all align north and south.)
"How does the direction your free floating magnet point compare with
the others in the class?" (The poles should all align north and south).
"How does the direction your free hanging magnet point compare with
the direction your free floating magnet point?" (The poles should both
be aligned north and south.)
2. Ask the students to make a rule about how free moving magnets behave.
APPLICATION AND EVALUATION A:
(This activity can be done in small groups or with the whole class.)
1. Distribute a compass to each student or groups of students can share
a compass.
(HINT: It is better to have a few more expensive compasses than many cheap,
inaccurate ones for this activity.)
2. Ask the students to compare the direction their free moving magnets are
pointing with a compass. Record observations on Student Activity Worksheet
5 part B.
3. Discuss the students' observations.
APPLICATION AND EVALUATION B:
Reading A Treasure Map.
Hide a treasure on the school grounds. Draw a simple map for your students
to follow to find the treasure. Put directions on the map so students must
use a compass to find the treasure. Give one group of students free hanging
magnets, one group free floating magnets and one group compasses. Send each
group out at separate times to bring back one part of the "Treasure".
The other groups should not be allowed to watch the map reading group while
they hunt.
This activity can be repeated with different maps, different treasures and
each group taking a turn using the free hanging magnet "compass",
the free floating magnet "compass", and a regular compass.
MAGNETISM STUDENT ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 6
PART A
DRAW HOW YOUR FREE HANGING MAGNET AND FREE FLOATING MAGNET LOOK WHEN YOU
LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN ON THEM-----WATCH DIRECTIONS!
FREE HANGING MAGNET | FREE FLOATING MAGNET
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PART B
PLACE A COMPASS NEAR YOUR FREE MOVING MAGNETS AND LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN ON
IT. DRAW THE COMPASS NEEDLE--WATCH DIRECTIONS!