Starter quiz
- Which of the following statements correctly describes non–contact forces?
- They can exist between objects if they are touching. ✓
- They can only exist between objects if they are touching.
- They can only exist between objects if they are not moving.
- They can only exist between objects if they are not touching.
- They can exist between objects even if they are not touching. ✓
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- Which of the following are types of non–contact force?
- friction
- magnetic force ✓
- gravitational force ✓
- air resistance
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- Which of the following is the correct definition of the word ‘repel’?
- push away ✓
- move apart
- break apart
- pull together
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- The opposite of repulsion is ______.
- 'attraction' ✓
- Earth has two poles: a north–seeking pole and a ______ pole.
- 'south-seeking' ✓
- A magnet exerts an attractive force on a metal rod. Which of the following statements is correct?
- The rod exerts a force on the magnet. ✓
- The rod does not exert a force on the magnet.
- It is not possible to say whether the rod exerts a force on the magnet.
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Exit quiz
- Inside a compass there is a freely rotating magnet which lines up with the magnetic field it is in. Which of the following is the term used for this magnet?
- compass pin
- compass dial
- compass hand
- compass needle ✓
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- Which of the following metals do magnets attract?
- nickel ✓
- iron ✓
- aluminium
- steel ✓
- copper
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- An object is made of a magnetic material. Which of the following statements must be correct?
- The object can be made into a magnet. ✓
- The object is always attracted to magnets.
- The object must have a north–seeking pole and a south–seeking pole.
- The object experiences a force when it is near a magnet. ✓
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- The full name for the north pole of a magnet is ‘north–seeking pole’. Which of the following statements about a north–seeking pole are correct?
- It is attracted to Earth’s North Pole. ✓
- It is attracted to Earth’s South Pole.
- It is attracted to the north–seeking poles of other magnets.
- It is attracted to the south–seeking poles of other magnets. ✓
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- Which of the following statements about the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet is correct?
- Field lines can cross each other.
- Where field lines are closer together, the field is stronger. ✓
- The arrows on field lines show the direction of force on a positive charge.
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Two bar magnets are placed end–to–end, as shown in the diagram. Which of the following describes the magnetic field around both magnets?- It looks like the field of a single bar magnet. ✓
- There is no magnetic field around the magnets.
- It looks like the field of two bar magnets next to each other.
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Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- All magnets have a north–seeking pole and a south–seeking pole.
- Unlike magnetic poles attract each other, and like magnetic poles repel each other.
- Just three metal elements (iron, cobalt and nickel) are magnetic; other metals and non–metals are not magnetic.
- The needle of a plotting compass lines up with the magnetic field of a magnet.
- Arrows on magnetic field lines show the direction in which the north–seeking pole of another magnet would be forced.
Common misconception
The magnetic field is only at the poles of a magnet.
Provide opportunity for pupils to plot magnetic field lines around pairs of bar magnets and to experiment with a second magnet as described in the teacher tip.
Keywords
North–seeking pole - The part of a magnet that is attracted to the south–seeking pole of another magnet, and to Earth's magnetic North Pole.
Magnetic material - A material that is attracted to a magnet. The elements iron, cobalt and nickel, and their alloys (such as steel), are magnetic; non–metals and other metals are not magnetic.
Compass needle - A tiny magnet in a compass that freely turns to line up with the direction of a magnetic field.
Magnetic field line - A line with an arrow, showing the direction in which a force acts on the north–seeking pole of a magnet in a magnetic field.