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Magnets! Investigation to Map Lines of Flux: Visibly See Them Attract or Repel

Track and diagram magnetic fields using a tiny compass. Fun to see how different magnets can have similar fields and how the fields of two magnets interact. Not all forces are visible. Magnetic fields are an example of an invisible force and experiments like this help students better visualize them. 

 

Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:

❑ How can we show invisible magnetic fields?

❑ What is the shape of the magnetic fields around different magnets?

❑ How does the shape of a magnetic field change when a second magnet is brought nearby?

 

Once students work through the activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions. 

 

Concepts Addressed

♦  Magnetic lines of flux don't cross

♦  Magnetic lines of flux can be shown using iron filings

♦  Iron filings act like small magnets and will align themselves with magnetic field lines

 

NGSS

MS-PS2-5

 

VA SOL

ES.1.c, PS.1m., PS.11a.

 

Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.

 

Materials Needed: Assorted magnets, small compasses made for mapping magnetic fields (one per person).

 

Teaching Time: 30 min

 

Prep Time: None.

 

Student Sheets   Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting 
 

Magnets! Investigation to Map Lines of Flux: Visibly See Them Attract or Repel

$3.00Price

    Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.

    Connect with me: If you have questions or problems, please let me know and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

     

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    Terms of Use   Copyright © Carolyn Balch. All rights reserved by the author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.

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