The document discusses the properties of magnets and magnetic materials, distinguishing between permanent magnets and electromagnets. It explains magnetism as a force of attraction or repulsion related to the arrangement of electrons, and details how magnetic fields function, including the Earth's magnetic field. Additionally, it highlights how to strengthen electromagnets by increasing the number of coils, wire thickness, and battery size.

1. MAGNETISM
Essential Question: What are properties of magnets & magnetic
materials? How is a perma-magnet different from (and similar to) an
electromagnet?

2. Magnetism Stations
The stations in the back of the
room are set up so that you
can explore magnetism!
Please take the
time to read aloud
the
procedures/questio
ns for the lab.

3. MAGNETISM
EXPLAINED
Need more info? Try these
videos…
Magnetism for Kids
Bill Nye: Magnetism
Khan Academy: Magnetism
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

4. Which of the following items will a magnet attract?
Button
Screw
Nuts & Bolts
Scissors
Marble
Penny
Paper Clip
Pencil
No
Yes
Item
Hypothesize:

5. Check your work…
Button
Screw
Nuts & Bolts
Scissors
Marble
Penny
Paper Clip
Pencil
No
Yes
Item

6. What do
these items
have in
common?
They are made of iron,
cobalt, or nickel (or a
mixture). These materials
are magnetic.

7. What is Magnetism?
• Magnetism is a force (like gravity) and a form
of energy
• It is the force of attraction or repulsion of a
magnetic material due to the arrangement of
its electrons.
• Magnetism was discovered by the Greeks.
(They found a mineral called magnetite that
attracted some metals to it)
• This mineral (a magnet) can be used to see
the effects of magnetism.

8. Facts About
MAGNETS

9. The ends of a magnet are where the
magnetic effect is the
strongest.
These are called “poles.”
Each magnet has
2 poles – 1 north, 1 south.

10. Like poles repel …
Opposite poles attract!
The Law of Attraction

11. Poles of a magnet
always
come in pairs!

12. N S N S
If you cut a magnet in half,
you get 2 magnets!

13. Magnetic Fields
The region where the magnetic forces
act is called the “magnetic field”

14. The Earth is a magnet:
Earth’s
magnetic field
is mostly caused
by electric
currents in
the liquid outer
core which is
composed of
conductive,
molten iron.
Food for Thought:
the north end of a compass magnet
is drawn to align with the Earth's
magnetic field. Because the Earth's
magnetic North Pole attracts the
"north" ends of other magnets, it is
technically the "South Pole" of our
planet's magnetic field.

15. There are 2 types of magnets:
 Permanent magnets
 permanent
 Keep their magnetism all of the time
 Ex. Refrigerator magnet
 Electromagnets
 Temporary
 Can be magnetized by running electricity through it
 Ex. Car alternator

16. Electromagnets
• By running electric current through a wire, you
can create a magnetic field.
• By using this simple principle, you can create
all sorts of things, including motors, speakers,
disk drives and so on.

17. Electromagnets
• Once an electromagnet is made, the
magnetic field can be made stronger.
• To increase the strength of the magnetic
field, you must increase the number of
coils/loops in the conductive wire.
Which
electromagnet is
the strongest?

18. Electromagnets
Electromagnets can also be made stronger
by:
1) increasing the number of coils
2) increasing the thickness of the wire
3) increasing the size of the metal rod that
the wire is wrapped around.
4) increasing the battery size