Magnetism

Question 1

what can magnets do and why

Answer 1

due to their unique properties they can attract any metal contain iron (cobalt + nickel) and also other magnets

Question 2

what do all magnets have in common

Answer 2

contain particles of iron that are aligned in the same direction. these aligned particles cause the magnetism

Question 3

what are the 2 types of magnets and describe them

Answer 3

Permanent magnets - keep their magnetism for and indefinite period of time. majority of magnets you see are permanent.

Temporary magnets - lose their magnetism quickly

Question 4

what are permanent magnets usually made of

Answer 4

iron but some of them are made by mixing tiny bits of of a magnetic material into plastic material.

Question 5

what are the 2 common types of permanent magnets you will use in a school classroom

Answer 5

horseshoe and bar magnets

Question 6

why is earth like a permanent magnet

Answer 6

the space in which earth’s magnetic effect is felt is called earth’s magnetic field.

Question 7

why is earth’s magnetic field important

Answer 7

it protects us from harmful radiation from space.

Question 8

what does a compass do when it lines up with earth’s magnetic field

Answer 8

its north pole points to the earth’s magnetic north pole.

Question 9

describe the north and south poles of a bar magnet that you use at school

Answer 9

permanent magnets (bar magnets) usually painted red and white. 
red = north pole
white = south pole
in magnets north pole attracts the south pole of other magnets and visa versa, but north pole of one magnet will always repel the north pole of another magnet.

so we say like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

Question 10

what are natural magnets called + describe them

Answer 10

Lodestones = natural occurring permanent magnets that were used as first ships’ compasses. they are magnetic rocks that occur naturally on the earth’s surface.

they are made of mineral called magnetite

Question 11

how do you handle magnets correctly

Answer 11

1 - how to store them

• store them in boxes in safe place. must not be stored near electronic equipment such as computer hard drives as they are damaged by the strong magnetic fields
• store magnets with their keepers in place. keepers keep them strong. they provide path for magnetic field lines between opposite poles of magnets.

2 - never drop, hit / heat magnets. if this happens the magnetic particles that previously lined up with each other go out of alignment, and magnetic field reduced.

Question 12

meanings - permanent + temporary magnets, poles, magnetic field and keepers

Answer 12

permanent magnets - a magnet that keeps its magnetism for and indefinite period of time.

temporary magnets - an object that is magnetised by a magnetic field, but then loses its magnetism when the magnetic field is removed

poles - ends of a magnet, where magnetic forces are strongest.

magnetic field - the space in which the magnetic effect is felt

keepers - iron bars that are placed between the poles of permanent magnets to preserve the magnetic strength by providing paths for magnetic field lines between opposite poles.

Question 13

read through pages 96 and 97

Answer 13

how well do you know it