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Magnets: Attract and Repel

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Magnets: Attract and Repel

A food bank is sorting donated supplies. Help Anahera and Zoe work out how magnets behave. Read each clue carefully, use the diagrams, and explain your thinking.

Meet the forces

A magnet can pull some materials towards it. This pull is an invisible force called attraction. Two magnets can also push away from each other; this is repulsion. Each magnet has a north pole (N) and a south pole (S).

1.Which statement best describes attraction?

A force that pulls objects towards each other
A force that pushes objects apart
A material that cannot move

2.Complete the rule: unlike poles ; like poles .

Pair A: N → ← S

Pair B: S ← → S

3.In Pair A, will the magnets attract or repel? Explain using the pole rule.

4.In Pair B, which way will the magnets push?

Towards each other
Away from each other
They will not exert a force

Test the supplies

A magnet is brought near four clean, dry objects. Predict first, then compare with these test results.

Paper clip — moved towards the magnet

Plastic spoon — did not move

Steel tin lid — moved towards the magnet

Wooden pencil — did not move

5.Which two objects in the test were magnetic?

6.A food tin is made from steel. Based on the test results, should the magnet pick up its lid? Give one reason.

7.Zoe says, “All metal objects must be magnetic.” Is this a safe conclusion from these tests? Explain.

Solve the magnet puzzle

A small paper clip is hidden under a sheet of paper. Anahera slides a magnet over the top of the paper, and the paper clip moves. The magnet does not need to touch the paper clip.

8.What does this puzzle show about magnetic forces?

A magnetic force can act through some materials
Magnets only work when objects are touching
Paper is pulled towards every magnet

9.Write a two-sentence conclusion explaining what magnets attract and how two magnets can push or pull each other.

Draw two small pairs of bar magnets. Label the poles to show one pair attracting and one pair repelling. Add arrows to show the direction of the force.